Penelope Spheeris is often referred to as a 'rock 'n roll anthropologist' due to her extensive work in capturing the essence of the music industry and its various subcultures. In 1974, she founded the first Los Angeles music video production company, ROCK 'N REEL, marking the beginning of her illustrious career.
Spheeris' feature film debut was the 1979 documentary "The Decline of Western Civilization," which received widespread critical acclaim for its candid portrayal of the Los Angeles punk scene. This documentary was followed by "Suburbia" in 1983, a film that Spheeris wrote and directed, produced by Roger Corman. "Suburbia" is a thought-provoking story about rebellious, homeless kids who form their own families and protect one another by squatting in abandoned houses. The film won first place at the Chicago Film Festival and eerily predicted the events that would unfold in her later documentary "The Decline of Western Civilization, Part III."
In the mid-1980s, Spheeris directed "The Boys Next Door" starring Charlie Sheen and Maxwell Caulfield, followed by "Dudes" starring John Cryer, Flea, and Daniel Roebuck. Both films have since become cult classics. Her documentary "The Decline of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years" was released in 1988 and received spectacular critical acclaim, featuring commentary from notable rock musicians such as Ozzy Osbourne, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry.
In 1992, Spheeris directed her seventh feature film, "Wayne's World," at Paramount Pictures, marking her first studio film. She went on to direct and produce "The Beverly Hillbillies" at Fox, wrote and directed "The Little Rascals" at Universal, and directed "Black Sheep" at Paramount, among other projects.
In 1999, Spheeris documented the Ozzfest, America's most successful summer concert tour, and the reunion performances of the original Black Sabbath. As both director and cinematographer, she achieved a remarkable and historic film that offers a unique view of life on the road: "We Sold Our Souls For Rock 'N Roll."
Today, Spheeris continues to tour with her producer-daughter Anna Fox, screening "The Decline" trilogy in support of the Shout Factory DVD release.
