Lanfranchi's Memorial Discotheque

Synopsis

Lanfranchi's Memorial Discotheque was Sydney’s favourite artist-run space, situated on the second level of an inner city warehouse. Lanfranchi’s doubled as a residence and unauthorised performance venue for 5 years, growing from unlikely beginnings to become what director Neil Armfield described as a ‘major strand of our city’s cultural DNA’. The decaying warehouse hosted hundreds of shows and was an accessible starting point for Sydney’s emerging performers, artists and musicians. That is, until property development gets in the way and Lanfranchi’s residents are given 60 days to vacate the building.

The story of Lanfranchi’s is told through ex-residents such as Lucas Abela; an experimental musician who plays amplified sheets of broken glass with his mouth. A show he developed at Lanfranchi’s and has since performed in more than 40 countries. Others soon to be displaced include Dorkbot; a community of electrical engineering artists, the bastard cover band Winner, experimental theatre-comedy group Cab Sav and the Marrickville Jelly Wrestling Federation.

Despite the impending eviction, the parties roll on during the final days of Lanfranchi’s, until the building’s owners and police intervene. But with no replacement, and with Sydney’s vibrant underground art communities fractured, where will the city breed its cultural DNA?

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Credits

A film by
Richard Baron

Interview Camera
Christopher Baron

Still Photography
Alex Davies
Simone Schelker
James Brickwood
Alexandra Crosby

Additional Editing /
Additional Camera
Felix Warmuth

Additional Camera
Ming D'Arcy
Adrian O'Doherty
Byron Woolfrey
David Harris

Grading
Christopher Baron

Sound Design / Mix
Richard Baron

Opening Title
Hana Shimada

Interviewees
Lucas Abela
Tega Brain
Alex Davies
Chris Fox
Pia van Gelder
Mark Gerada
Tobias Kazumichi Grime
David Harris
Stephen 'Swerve' Harris
Sue Hunt
Adam Jasper
James Mc Parlane
Adrian O'Doherty
Brendan Phelan
Adam Pierce
Phoebe Torzillo

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ARTISTS AND PERFORMERS

Wonka! A Live Cinema Remix
Mark Bradshaw
Zoe Coombs-Marr
Erica Englert
Charlie Garber
Kenzie Larsen
Eddie Sharp
Xannon Shirley
Phoebe Torzillo

Cabaret Sauvignon
Martin Del Amo
Ashley Dyer
Teik-Kim Pok
Malcolm, Amy and Meg
Pig Island
Pussymutt

Marrickville Jelly Wrestling Federation
Betty Boof
Demolition Damo
David Harris as The Man
Heave Ho Les Garcon
Mindy LeBrock as The Flamingasm
The Maniac
Brendan Phelan as Nameless Wizard
Pussy Pounder
Rizili
Sadie Sadist
Jack Shit
General Strike
The Strumpet
The Teacher

Biffo's Blow Up Bonanza
Curse ov Dialect
Diablo Negro
Dickie and Dickie
Droon
Uncle Funky
Guido
Peabody
DJ Rainbow Ejaculation
Damian Sawyers as Hiss
Elliat Rich
Scorpio Scorpio
Justin Shoulder
Sickboy
Suicidal Rap Orgy
Danial Stocks
The Teacher
Toecutter
Von Crapp Family
The Warm Feelings
Winner
Justice Yeldham

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Additional Footage
Lucas Abela
David Harris
Eddie Sharp
Mark Gerada
Ben Chamie
Dom Bowd
Shannon O'Neill
Ben Byrne
Clare Holland
Joseph 'Jof' O'Farrell

Special Thanks
Adrian O'Doherty
The residents of Lanfranchi's

Thanks
Lexie Reeves
James Brickwood
Robert Curcio
Brian Miller
Jonathon Snipes
Kristin Erickson
Justin Flynn
Mark Newlands
Jeremy Thomas
Martha Ansara
Michael Ney
Noric Dilanchian
Danny Ben-Moshe
Ali Russell
Leigh Russell
Belinda Mason
Leonie Savvides
Richard Nickel
Daniel Green
Justin Harvey
John Jacobs
Jim Denley
Neil Armfield

CarriageWorks
La Campana
University of Technology Sydney

Arts Law Centre of Australia

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MUSIC

Snakes On The Brain
Written by J. Snipes & B. Miller
Performed by Captain Ahab
Courtesy of Deathbomb Arc
From the album Snakes On The Brain

The Drifter
Written by J. Desmet
Performed by Sickboy
Courtesy of Wood Records
From the album Musical Therapy

Genital Warfare
Written and performed by Suicidal Rap Orgy
Produced by Shitwank
Courtesy of dualpLOVER
From the album Genital Warfare

Lite Spray
Written by J. Guffond, P. Jeebe & A. Patrick
Performed by Alternahunk
Courtesy of dualpLOVER
From the album Alternahunk

Ruff Bass
Written and performed by Toxic Lipstic
Courtesy of dualpLOVER
From the album Poopin'

I Am Nastay
Written by K. Erickson
Produced by Wobbly
Performed by Kevin Blechdom
Courtesy of Chicks On Speed Records
From the album Bitches Without Britches

Fully Industrial A
Written by C. Broodfood & A. Quirk
Performed by Template
Courtesy of Bloody Fist Records
From the album NCL Trax V1.0

Best Party Ever (Corey W edit)
Written by D. Harris
Performed by Toecutter
Courtesy of Bang Gang 12 inches

Baby How?
Written by A. Gauci, S. Tariq, D. Rabel,
B. Markovski & E. Stuart
Performed by Curse Ov Dialect
Courtesy of Mushroom Music Publishing & Mush Records
From the album Lost In The Real Sky

Ambient Mix
Atmosphere recording by John Hopkins

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Blue Murder Footage
Courtesy of ABC and Southern Star Entertainment

Warren Lanfranchi Crime Scene and Mugshot
Reproduced under license from Newspix/News Ltd

Lanfranchi's Closing
Courtesy of Vijay Khurana and Triple J

Jelly Wrestling in Marrickville
Courtesy of Ali Benton and Triple J

News Sources
Courtesy of Neil Armfield, Clara Iaccarino
Sunanda Creagh, Dan Kaufman,
Louise Shwartzkoff and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Alex Mitchell and The Sun-Herald.
Timmy Collier and General Pants.