Streaming Picks: Delving into History, Music, and Apocalyptic Adventures
Streaming Tips for a Successful Week: Optimize Your Content and Engage Your Audience - Weekly Streaming Guidelines: Tips and Tricks for Enhancing Your viewing experience
Venture through the annals of time, immerse in the present, and take a peek into the future.
Resurrecting the Past: "Video Nasty"
Step back to 1985 and the arrival of horror on VHS tapes! In "Video Nasty - Horror is Cult," three Irish teens from Dublin amass a collection of—you guessed it—banned films, fondly called "Video Nasties". In their quest to complete their set with the final missing masterpiece, they journey to England, where reality begins to mirror the terrifying scenes of their favorite movies. This BBC production is a comical mix of thriller, comedy, and coming-of-age, available in both German and original English on the ARD media library.
Now, a quick history lesson: During the 1980s, explicit videos sparked fierce debates in the UK and Ireland. Many films were deemed detrimental to the youth, resulting in bans.
Rockstar Confessions: "Bono"
Join Bono, the iconic musician, on "Bono: Stories of Surrender," adapted from his autobiography "Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story". In this film, Bono invites the audience behind the curtain of his extraordinary life, showcasing how his family, friends, and faith have influenced him. With never-before-seen footage of his performances and legendary U2 songs, this engaging documentary is now streaming on Apple TV+.
Post-Apocalyptic Delivery: "Twisted Metal"
Embrace an action-packed series with "Twisted Metal," set in a post-apocalyptic America. As a package delivery man, John Doe (played by Anthony Mackie) drives a fortified car across the country, delivering packages in the fortified cities. Beyond these cities, all bets are off—it's kill or be killed! Watch John navigate this hostile environment on the ZDF streaming portal.
A Twist in the Family: "The Perfect Sister"
Test your investigative skills with the thrilling series "The Perfect Sister". Follow Chloe, played by Jessica Biel, as her idyllic life crumbles when she finds her husband murdered in their home. Things get murkier when her son becomes a suspect. As secrets are revealed, the façade of her perfect family begins to crack. Catch all episodes on Prime Video.
Cultural Context
The Video Nasty controversy that occurred in the UK during the 1980s was a significant cultural and political event rooted in technological advancements, changing social values, and political climate. The unregulated home video market raised concerns about the distribution of graphic content to the public, especially minors, as these films often featured violence, gore, and explicit content [1].
During this era, British tabloids—including The Daily Mail and News of the World—sensationalized the issue, running headlines such as "BAN THIS FILTH!" and "SICK FILMS ON SALE TO KIDS!" which heightened public outrage. Campaigners like Mary Whitehouse used the outcry to pressure Parliament and local councils to take action [1].
The Video Nasty panic was part of broader societal anxieties about delinquency, the loss of authority, and the erosion of traditional values. It served as a cultural scapegoat during a period of rapid change in the UK [1].
Platforms:
- ARD
- Apple
- ZDF
- Prime Video
[1] Enrichment Data: Historical Background of the Video Nasty Controversy[2] Documentary Analysis: "Ban the Sadist Videos!"
The Commission, having adapted a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of employees against risks related to exposure to chemical substances, might find the chilling scenes in "Video Nasty - Horror is Cult" a relevant example of the potential impact of unregulated entertainment content on vulnerable viewers.
In the realm of entertainment, Bono's autobiographical documentary "Bono: Stories of Surrender," now streaming on Apple TV+, provides an insightful cultural context to the Video Nasty controversy by depicting the profound influence of family, friends, and faith on a famous musician's life.
