ROZZ WILLIAMS: ROMEO'S DISTRESS - Philly Premiere at PhilaMOCA
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A new documentary film about the controversial artist, poet, and musician Rozz Williams, founder of the 1980s band Christian Death. A major influence on Goth rock and fashion as well as on transgender and diverse individuals, Rozz has gained a dedicated cult following since his passing at the young age of 34 in 1998, leaving behind a legacy that is being discovered by a new generation. An intimate portrait from friend and collaborator Nico B (director of the Rozz-starring short film PIG).
Trailer:
Rozz Williams (born Roger Alan Painter; November 6, 1963 – April 1, 1998) was an American singer and songwriter known for his work with the bands Christian Death, Shadow Project (with musician Eva O), and the industrial project Premature Ejaculation. Christian Death is cited by some as a pioneer of the American gothic rock scene as well as deathrock, and is considered to be one of the most influential groups of the scene. Their 1982 debut album Only Theatre of Pain, was highly influential in the development of the style of music known as deathrock, as well as on the American and European gothic scene. However, Williams disliked the "goth" label and actively worked to shed it during the 1980s and 1990s by focusing on punk rock, hard rock, cabaret, and spoken word music. Williams was also involved with his groups Daucus Karota, Heltir, EXP, Bloodflag, and his own version of Christian Death (Christian Death featuring Rozz Williams), along with recording a handful of solo albums and a collaboration with Gitane Demone (1995-1996). In addition to music, Williams was also an avid painter, poet, and collage artist. He co-directed, starred and scored Pig, a 1998 experimental surreal horror silent short film with underground film maker Nico B. Pig was the last work Williams did. Williams committed suicide by hanging himself in his West Hollywood apartment on April 1, 1998. He was 34 years old.
Nico B is the founder of the Cult Videotheek and Cult Epics in Amsterdam (since 1991), and was a close friend of Rozz until the day he died. He had met Rozz while living with Gitane Demone in Amsterdam after she left Christian Death. A few years later they toured with Rozz worldwide and produced the record Dream Home Heartache. When he moved to the U.S. in 1998, he directed the underground cult film Pig with him. He also produced and published the books; The Art of Rozz Williams: From Christian Death to Death (1999/2017) and Christian Death - Only Theatre of Pain: Photography by Edward Colver (2022). 25 Years later he decided to directed the film: Rozz Williams: Romeo’s Distress, in selected theaters in 2026.
$12 admission / Doors 7:00 PM
Trailer:
Rozz Williams (born Roger Alan Painter; November 6, 1963 – April 1, 1998) was an American singer and songwriter known for his work with the bands Christian Death, Shadow Project (with musician Eva O), and the industrial project Premature Ejaculation. Christian Death is cited by some as a pioneer of the American gothic rock scene as well as deathrock, and is considered to be one of the most influential groups of the scene. Their 1982 debut album Only Theatre of Pain, was highly influential in the development of the style of music known as deathrock, as well as on the American and European gothic scene. However, Williams disliked the "goth" label and actively worked to shed it during the 1980s and 1990s by focusing on punk rock, hard rock, cabaret, and spoken word music. Williams was also involved with his groups Daucus Karota, Heltir, EXP, Bloodflag, and his own version of Christian Death (Christian Death featuring Rozz Williams), along with recording a handful of solo albums and a collaboration with Gitane Demone (1995-1996). In addition to music, Williams was also an avid painter, poet, and collage artist. He co-directed, starred and scored Pig, a 1998 experimental surreal horror silent short film with underground film maker Nico B. Pig was the last work Williams did. Williams committed suicide by hanging himself in his West Hollywood apartment on April 1, 1998. He was 34 years old.
Nico B is the founder of the Cult Videotheek and Cult Epics in Amsterdam (since 1991), and was a close friend of Rozz until the day he died. He had met Rozz while living with Gitane Demone in Amsterdam after she left Christian Death. A few years later they toured with Rozz worldwide and produced the record Dream Home Heartache. When he moved to the U.S. in 1998, he directed the underground cult film Pig with him. He also produced and published the books; The Art of Rozz Williams: From Christian Death to Death (1999/2017) and Christian Death - Only Theatre of Pain: Photography by Edward Colver (2022). 25 Years later he decided to directed the film: Rozz Williams: Romeo’s Distress, in selected theaters in 2026.
$12 admission / Doors 7:00 PM
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Where is it happening?
PhilaMOCA, 531 N 12th St,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherPhilaMOCA
