At a time when most first generation punk rockers tried to play louder than the next one, Patrik Fitzgerald entered the stage with his acoustic guitar and delivered songs that articulated the frustration and powerlessness felt by much British youth at the time. Fitzgerald was the original punk poet, a cult figure who, unlike many of the initial mutineers, wasn’t eventually swallowed up by the music industry.

Dom Shaw recorded Fitzgerald’s concerts as early as 1980, material for his punk documentary Rough Cut and Ready Dubbed (1982). With All the Years of Trying he has made an excellent portrait of a fascinating musician, well aided by enthusiastic interviewees. The film centers on interviews with the musicians and poets Benjamin Zephaniah and Attila the Stockbroker, the music journalists Everett True (also known as The Legend) and Garry Bushell, as well as Patrik himself. We are also presented to various archive recordings from concerts and TV performances. Punk is still a way of living for Patrik Fitzgerald, not a label. Kosmorama invites you the world premiere of All the Years of Trying – where you get the chance to meet the man himself.

Svein Inge Sæther

White Lord Jesus Resurrected is the story of a band who touched on success in the eighties before suddenly passing away. The resurrection occured in 2005, and now White Lord Jesus are back with a new album. The group is vocalist Arvid Schanke-Knutsen and instrumentalist Thomas Robsahm. The film is directed by Cathrine Heltzen. Duration 29 mins.