Underground and Emigrants Poster

Underground and Emigrants 1976

89 min📅 1976-10-25

In *Underground and Emigrants (1976)*, queer avant-garde filmmaker Rosa von Praunheim captures the electric energy of New York's underground arts scene, weaving together intimate portraits of its boldest voices. The film spotlights nonconformist figures like William S.

Director: Rosa von Praunheim

Cast

Fernando Arrabal
Fernando Arrabal
Self
Lee Breuer
Self
William S. Burroughs
William S. Burroughs
Self
Divine
Divine
Self
Tom Eyen
Self
Greta Keller
Self
Charles Ludlam
Self
Grete Mosheim
Grete Mosheim
Self
Danny Partridge
Self
Lil Picard
Self

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Underground and Emigrants (1976) about?

This documentary by Rosa von Praunheim immerses viewers in the vibrant New York underground arts scene of the 1970s, profiling its most provocative figures while honoring the emigrants who fled pre-WWII Germany. It's a collage of interviews, candid moments, and cultural rebellion.

Who directed Underground and Emigrants?

Rosa von Praunheim, the outspoken queer filmmaker known for his avant-garde style and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, directed *Underground and Emigrants*.

Who stars in Underground and Emigrants?

The film features iconic figures like Fernando Arrabal, William S. Burroughs, Divine, Greta Keller, and Tom Eyen, alongside fleeting appearances from Andy Warhol.

Is Underground and Emigrants (1976) worth watching?

As a documentary that bridges personal stories with cultural history, *Underground and Emigrants* offers a unique lens into an era of artistic rebellion. While it lacks a mainstream rating, its themes of identity and exile make it a compelling watch for fans of underground cinema.

How long is Underground and Emigrants?

The runtime of *Underground and Emigrants* is 89 minutes.

About Underground and Emigrants (1976) — A Glimpse into New York's Radical Arts Underground

In *Underground and Emigrants (1976)*, queer avant-garde filmmaker Rosa von Praunheim captures the electric energy of New York's underground arts scene, weaving together intimate portraits of its boldest voices. The film spotlights nonconformist figures like William S. Burroughs—silent yet magnetic—alongside Spanish surrealist Fernando Arrabal, whose insights resonate in his native tongue. Glimpses of Andy Warhol drift through the frame, adding a layer of legendary mystique, while Greta Keller and Grete Mosheim represent the émigrés who fled pre-WWII Germany, their stories echoing themes of displacement and resilience. What emerges is a raw, candid snapshot of a cultural moment, blending documentary realism with the unapologetic spirit of its subjects.

This 89-minute exploration isn't just a historical record; it's a rebellious celebration of art as rebellion. Von Praunheim, with his signature fearlessness, documents a world where boundaries blur between exile and innovation, creativity and chaos. The film's atmosphere crackles with defiance and nostalgia, offering a time capsule of defiant voices who shaped modern art and literature. Whether you're fascinated by the underground or drawn to stories of emigration, *Underground and Emigrants* delivers a provocative, visually striking journey.