Post-Apocalyptic Skateboard Rock Opera SHREDDER ORPHEUS (1990) presented by Strange Brew

Shredder Orpheus (1989) is a low-budget reimagining of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice presented as a post-apocalyptic skateboard rock opera. Orpheus (played by director Robert McGinley) is a local rock star that must descend to the underworld on a skateboard-from-hell to rescue his kidnapped wife and stop Hades from broadcasting a hypnotic message from the Devil’s “Euthanasia TV Network” that could destroy the world. Shredder Orpheus also captures a rare acting performance by legendary spoken-word poet Steven Jesse Bernstein (known as Seattle’s Williams S. Burroughs) who narrates the story as well.

The film was shot in Seattle, Washington without obtaining permits for many of its locations. It had a one-night-only premiere at Seattle’s Neptune Theater on Halloween of 1989, before it later gained a cult following for its limited VHS release. The film was rediscovered by the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) and reissued on Blu-Ray in 2023 to modern audiences that embraced its weird amalgamation of influences from new-wave music videos, Bones Brigade skate tapes, and avant-garde art.

You may also like the following events from Arkadin Cinema & Bar:

• This Wednesday, 21st May, 07:00 pm, ACROSS AMERICA (2024) w/ in-person Q&A with skater Chad Caruso presented by Strange Brew in Southhampton
• This Saturday, 24th May, 02:00 pm, James Stewart in the heartwarming classic HARVEY (1950) w/ intro by psychologist Kate Stewart — $7 in Southhampton
• This Saturday, 24th May, 05:00 pm, THE ENCAMPMENTS (2025) + post-film panel with local encampment activists in Southhampton

Also check out other Arts events in Southhampton, Entertainment events in Southhampton, Theatre events in Southhampton.