Eastern Phonographic Establishments

From 1988 to 1994, near Père Lachaise cemetery on the eastern side of Paris, the Etablissements phonographiques de l’Est (Eastern Phonographic Venue), aka EPE, was a multidisciplinary venue hosting the crême de la crême of the international experimental, radical, industrial, noise, avant-punk scene. A record shop during the day, an underground venue at night hosting in its basement gigs, performances, screenings of video art and experimental cinema, readings, bondage workshops, fanzine exhibitions. At the junction of late 80’s and early 90’s, EPE saw the end of industrial music and the birth of the still highly influential avant-punk scene.

Directed by Yves-Marie Mahé, Eastern Phonographic Establishments leans on a strong ensemble — Nicolas Willmann, Christophe Willmann, Yann Richard — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2017.