Dead End Drive-In

Part of the special series NACHTBLENDE

Nachtblende: POPCORN PANIC

Dystopia in neon colours: With DEAD END DRIVE-IN, Brian Trenchard-Smith created a full-on eighties B-picture with a political edge. A highlight of the Australian Ozploitation wave set in motion by MAD MAX and a favourite of Quentin Tarantino.

Getting in was easy... getting out is hell on wheels! Crabs (Ned Manning) is a car mechanic and actually just wanted to spend a romantic evening at the drive-in cinema with Carmen (Natalie McCurry). The romance evaporates when it becomes clear that it won't be just one evening. The "Star Drive-In" turns out to be a trap and functions primarily not as a place of entertainment but as a punishment camp for socially undesirable youngsters. It's a ticket to eternity. Because in this place, you drive in. But you don't drive out. Unless maybe your name is Crabs...