Last Tuesday I watched my second movie as part of the Seattle International Film Festival. This one, called Razing the Bar was about the rise and fall of the beloved punk club called The Funhouse.
Through interviews with employees, owners and local musicians, this film is mainly about Brian Foss who took over running The Funhouse from someone who’s deemed a “crackhead” by many of the interviewed employees. Besides describing Foss as a benevolent overlord, this movie was also about the loss of Seattle as a unique city, showing footage of the demolition of the Funhouse, and the uprising of more faceless condos that will fetch exorbitant prices.
The Funhouse sat at the foot of Seattle’s prestigious Queen Anne Hill and right across the street from The Experience Music Project Museum in the shadow of Seattle’s iconic Space Needle. In other words, prime real estate.
The movie included a lot of footage of the bands who played at the Funhouse, including international, national and local and acts. There was the scene of club patrons and employees wrestling in a wading pool filled with mashed potatoes and gravy that was placed on the sidewalk just outside the club despite freezing temperatures. This is just one example of the sheer fun that was had by all associated with the Funhouse.
Now the Funhouse is gone and the faceless condos are in its place. The club owners have not yet found a suitable replacement. As one employee said, everyone wants to buy a condo in the city, but then complains about the noise and people who pay such high prices to live there don’t necessarily want to see the type of clientele that frequent the Funhouse. All Funhouse employees have gone their separate ways and a few have become quite successful working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. One employee said, “It’s like your parents got divorced and you all had to go to different foster homes.” The people who worked at the Funhouse were like family. This comes across as very evident in the movie.
Razing The Bar is an excellent documentary. It is multifaceted and depicts an alternate lifestyle with sensitivity and warmth. I only hope a soundtrack is available soon. I really liked the music played throughout.
Trailer for RAZING THE BAR – A Documentary About The Funhouse from Ryan Worsley on Vimeo.
