Ever wonder why teen movies nowadays just don’t strike the same chord as such ’80s-era classics as “Last American Virgin” and “Fast Times at Ridgemont High?” You’re not alone, as the forthcoming movie “Don’t You Forget About Me” will examine not only such John Hughes classics as “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club,” but also similar films by Allan Moyle and Cameron Crowe, and their influence then and now.
The 90-minute documentary, named after Simple Minds’ 1985 Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” will be released via Stay the Course Productions. Directed by Matt Austin, the film will include appearances by actors, directors and others who had a hand in making these films or were touched by them. Among them are actors Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Kelly LeBrock, Mia Sara, Alan Ruck and film critic Roger Ebert.
“One of the reasons why we felt compelled to make this documentary 20 years after ‘The Breakfast Club’ was originally released was because we suddenly came to the realization that the majority of today’s teenagers have enough trouble relating to the world than recognizing themselves on screen,” explains Austin. “A film from 20 years ago portrayed them more accurately then anything made for them today.”
Simple Minds will be filmed for the documentary while playing the final show of a world tour Aug. 28 at Scotland’s T in the Park festival. The band’s current studio album, ‘Black & White 050505,’ is planned for North American release next year to coincide with Simple Minds’ 30th anniversary.
“When we were asked to participate in the documentary, at first I was surprised that the original ‘Breakfast Club’ movie had became such a cult, since it was originally released 20 years ago,” Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr tells Billboard.com. “The song has become our biggest hit in America, and when we heard the rest of the original cast from the movie agreed to be interviewed … we felt it was only fitting to participate.”
For more information, visit the documentary’s Web site.
