Who Killed the KLF?

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Who Killed the KLF?

2021

1h 28m

Documentary

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100%

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8 Reviews

89%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

"Who Killed the KLF?" uses previously unheard tapes to explore the rise and fall of the KLF in the 1980s and 1990s, touching upon themes that perfectly capture the 21st century zeitgeist. The film is a fascinating insight into the machinations not only of Jimmy Cauty and Bill Drummond, but of art, culture, and capitalism. Through a combination of archive and reconstruction, we follow them on wild road trips to Sweden to "find ABBA"; to Scottish islands with robed journalists; and to Spain to watch the band make a disastrous big budget movie with no plot at all. As well as the crazy side of the band, we also explore the mainstream fame they had, with frequent visits to "Top of the Pops", huge hits like "Justified and Ancient", to their sets at warehouse raves with huge anthems like "What Time is Love?" as their stunts got increasingly hostile and violent. Our film reaches its dramatic peak after their biggest and best (or worst) stunt yet -- after they burn 1 million pounds and then drive a car off a cliff, vowing to never explain themselves. A tale as intriguing as it is bonkers, "Who Killed the KLF?" will entice, intrigue and shock audiences everywhere.

Kylie Northover

The Age (Australia)

Authentic or not, it’s a brilliant, wild ride, and there’s much more to their story than we can fit here.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 20, 2023

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Andrew Male

Times (UK)

... It is entertaining and fun and understands that myth is just as important to the KLF story as hard facts.

Jul 8, 2022

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

You could end the film wondering if the KLF even existed at all, if they were a dream or a countercultural mirage. If so, this is an enjoyable journey across the surface of an illusion.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 14, 2022

Full Review

Heather Wixson

Daily Dead

I was completely enthralled by just how thorough Atkins was in his exploration of this musical act that seemed to be at constant odds with the industry it was a part of and the concept of success as a whole.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 26, 2021

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Bobby LePire

Film Threat

Atkins shines a light on a forgotten band, who were the biggest-selling singles act in the world in 1991 in an engaging and fun way.

Rated: 9/10

Sep 30, 2021

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Jaime Davis

MovieJawn

Who Killed the KLF? raises more questions than it answers, but I'm not gonna lie - it's still a fun watch.

Sep 28, 2021

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Chris Atkins

Director

Carl Cox

Self

Nick Coler

Self

John Higgs

Self

Alan Moore

Self

Paul Oakenfold

Self

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Synopsis

"Who Killed the KLF?" uses previously unheard tapes to explore the rise and fall of the KLF in the 1980s and 1990s, touching upon themes that perfectly capture the 21st century zeitgeist. The film is a fascinating insight into the machinations not only of Jimmy Cauty and Bill Drummond, but of art, culture, and capitalism. Through a combination of archive and reconstruction, we follow them on wild road trips to Sweden to "find ABBA"; to Scottish islands with robed journalists; and to Spain to watch the band make a disastrous big budget movie with no plot at all. As well as the crazy side of the band, we also explore the mainstream fame they had, with frequent visits to "Top of the Pops", huge hits like "Justified and Ancient", to their sets at warehouse raves with huge anthems like "What Time is Love?" as their stunts got increasingly hostile and violent. Our film reaches its dramatic peak after their biggest and best (or worst) stunt yet -- after they burn 1 million pounds and then drive a car off a cliff, vowing to never explain themselves. A tale as intriguing as it is bonkers, "Who Killed the KLF?" will entice, intrigue and shock audiences everywhere.

Director: Chris Atkins
Producer: Nicky Bentham
Production Co: Fulwell 73, Neon Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: British English
Runtime: 1h 28m