Generation Necktie

Dane Bachman writes, directs and stars in this comedy/drama mockumentary and joining him in the cast are Kyle Roth, Ben Dougherty, Jonas Chartock and PJ Clarke.

Recently released on YouTube, production for this feature commenced shortly before COVID-19, when the director was nineteen years old and was postponed for six month, before restarting and been completed over a period of four years. Funding was accomplished via a pizza delivery job and an Indiegogo campaign.

Filmed as a documentary, this feature concentrates on a film crew that follows a group of four young unemployed skateboarders in the United States, documenting their lives. These four individuals are Patrick (Bachman), Mickey (Roth), Adam (Dougherty) and Dust (Aiden Skipper). The crew films them as they contemplate their lives, hang around with each other, encounter a dangerous drug dealer (Steven Skipper) and vandalise a garden. Then, a terrible tragedy occurs that changes everything.

This film could be described as a coming-of-age story and a family drama. There is hardly a plot, with the main focus being instead on the characters, analysing their situations and struggles. It is the four skateboarders that are arguably the most interesting aspect, with their unconventional perspectives regarding the world and their outrageous behaviour. There is humour and dark humour, and there is plenty of drama and character development.

The four skateboarders have things in common, being simple, well-meaning guys, who seem to have reached a point where they do not know which direction to take in life, but they also have differences. With a strong performance, Bachman presents Patrick as a rebellious youth who lives with his parents and does not hesitate to communicate his disapproving views regarding society, believing that anarchy is good. Adam just does not know what to do with his life, much to the disappointment of his partner, Nora (Jade Collins). Mickey is perhaps the most joyful one of the bunch, while Dust is the awkward one, who appears to have a fascination with dust. Regarding their parents, the ones who stand out are Patrick's father (Chartock), who believes that his son is capable of achieving more and Adam's dad (Bruce Coen), who can be loud at times.

The events in this film provide an insight into life concerning middle class America and the world of filmmaking. More dramatically, self-reflection, loss, family, parenting and the ideas of moving on to better things, having motivation and finding purpose in life are brought to light.

This feature shows that not a great deal of money is required in order to make something of considerable quality. A film with a great soundtrack that has laughter, poignant moments and is quite thought-provoking.