A HUNDRED DOLLARS AND A T-SHIRT(83 min. DVD, $10.00,
Microcosm Publishing)
Reviewed by Rick BradfordMicrocosm describes this documentary as a "cultural analysis of what causes zine makers to tick, what the hell zines are, why people make zines, the origin of zines, the resources and community available for zine makers, and the future of zines." That's a pretty good description.
A Hundred Dollars is something of a snapshot of the zine scene in the Pacific Northwest but its real value is as an introduction to the subculture. It's something you can show those perplexed friends and family members who don't understand what the zine thing is all about.
Around 70 zinesters (including some no longer zining) offer their perspectives on the many aspects of what is for some a hobby and for others a lifestyle. Some of those featured include Shawn Granton, Alex Wrekk, Donna Kossy, Greig Means, jack saturn, Shannon Wheeler, Dave Roche, Nicole Georges, Moe Bowstern and Icky Apparatus.
It's really a pretty interesting DVD and, believe it or not, the first zine documentary I've had the pleasure to watch (although I know others are out there). Also on the disc is 20 minutes of bonus footage such as a trailer for the film and a cut segment on Sean Tejaratchi's
KOOL Man. My only disappointment is that they didn't also include a gallery of zine covers. Most of the zines discussed in the film get some amount of screen time, but I would love to have seen a gallery of them, plus other notable zines from recent years. Still, this is only a minor complaint. Go get this DVD — it's a good way to spend an hour-and-a-half or so.
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