Milwaukee’s Oriental Theater Hosts Motorcycle Film Festival
From zombie bikers to real-life rebels, this film fest has it all as city starts Harley’s anniversary party early, Aug. 31 & Sept. 1.
Hollywood has been fascinated by the biker subculture, in all of its various forms, for decades. Now, Milwaukee’s Oriental Theatre is planning to spend two days exploring this fascination in four very different ways.
Dubbed the Milwaukee Motorcycle Film Festival, the event ties in to hometown hero Harley-Davidson’s 115th anniversary celebration. Piggybacking on the excitement of that event, the recently renovated theater hopes to draw attention to itself.
Of the four movies featured, you’ve heard of at least one of them. From 1953 comes The Wild One, featuring Marlon Brando in the iconic lead role. Clad in black leather, the motorcycle gang fights for control of a small town.
If you haven’t seen it by now, it’s high time you did. It’s a classic. (Even though it’s widely cited as an inspiration for outlaw Harley motorcycle culture, Brando’s bike is actually a Triumph!)
Next up is the British cult sci-fi film from 1973, Psychomainia. It also follows the exploits of a smalltown motorcycle gang, with a twist. The bikers in this film have figured out the secret to life after death, returning as zombies! It’s just as cheesy as it sounds and should be a good time.
Rounding out the festival are a pair of documentaries. First up is the most Harley-centric film of the group, Sugar and Spade. It’s about two life-long friends, brought together in the late ’60s by their mutual love for powerful custom built motorcycles. From Brooklyn to San Francisco, they’ve been front and center in the fast-paced biker world of guns, girls, and the occasional run in with the law. Even though they found themselves living on opposite coasts, their deep bond has been constant. Being among the first African-American chopper riders in NYC, and inspiring the next generation, now, they’ll finally be reunited after 30 years.
Lastly is the controversial 12 O’Clock Boys, about a gang of outlaws from Baltimore who ride dirt bikes and ATVs on the street, hanging the front wheels up high, hence their name.
If you’re a fan of movies and motorcycles in equal measure, and you’re lucky enough to live in Milwaukee, the event starts on Friday, Aug. 31 and finishes up in the evening on Saturday, Sept. 1 at the Oriental Theatre.
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