Mondo New York
A 1988 Mondo film inspired by Mondo Cane.
Mondo New York is a 1988 documentary in the mondo tradition, directed by Harvey Nikolai Keith and inspired by the 1963 film *Mondo Cane*. The film focuses on Manhattan performance artists, featuring figures such as Joey Arias and Rick Aviles. A young woman’s journey through the city links various sketches populated by other New York performers, including Charlie Barnett, Joe Coleman, Phoebe Legere, Karen Finley, Lydia Lunch, Veronica Vera, Frank Moore, and Ann Magnuson. Stuart S. Shapiro produced the film.
Critical reception was mixed. Michael Wilmington of the *Los Angeles Times* rated the film Adult for offensive language and repulsive situations, noting it has some value as an uncensored record of controversial performance artists but largely expects viewers to react like bored voyeurs watching a geek. Jonathan Rosenbaum of the *Chicago Reader* described the film as a walk on the wild side through New York’s seamier byways, featuring cockfights, junkies, street hookers, S&M club habitués, and outre acts—including Ann Magnuson beating a dead horse, Karen Finley decorating herself with raw eggs and glitter, Joe Coleman biting the head off a mouse while nearly exploding with firecrackers, and Dean Johnson performing in drag with his band, the Weenies.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Harvey Nikolai Keith
- Producer
- Stuart S. Shapiro
- Starring
- Joey Arias / Rick Aviles / Charlie Barnett / Joe Coleman / Emilio Cubeiro / Karen Finley / Dean Johnson / Phoebe Legere / Lydia Lunch / Ann Magnuson / Frank Moore / John Sex
- Music
- Johnny Pacheco
- Cinematography
- Lenny Wong
- Editing
- Richard Friedman
- Released
- 22 April 1988
- Runtime
- 82 minutes
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Mondo New York was directed by Harvey Nikolai Keith and produced by Stuart S. Shapiro. The film is a documentary that explores the lives and activities of Manhattan performance artists, featuring a number of New York City denizens in various sketches linked by a young woman's exploration of the city. Performers include Joey Arias, Rick Aviles, Charlie Barnett, Joe Coleman, Phoebe Legere, Karen Finley, Lydia Lunch, Veronica Vera, Frank Moore, and Ann Magnuson.
Reader's Guide
The film received mixed reception. Michael Wilmington of the Los Angeles Times stated that the film has some small value as an uncensored record of highly regarded and controversial performance artists, but mostly expects viewers to react like bored voyeurs. Jonathan Rosenbaum of Chicago Reader noted that the film takes a walk on the wild side through seamier byways of New York life, featuring cockfights, junkies, street hookers, habitues of S and M clubs, and outre performance artists such as Ann Magnuson beating a dead horse, Karen Finley decorating herself with raw eggs and glitter, Joe Coleman biting the head off a mouse while nearly exploding himself with firecrackers, and Dean Johnson performing in drag with his band, the Weenies.
Did You Know?
- The film was inspired by the 1963 movie Mondo Cane.
- It features Ann Magnuson beating a dead horse.
- Karen Finley decorates herself with raw eggs and glitter in the film.
More in Mondo films 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced