Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders dives deep into the gritty world of motorcycle gangs, an iconic American subculture. Set in the 1960s, the film captures the shift from the idyllic freedom of riding to the chaos of a full-fledged biker gang.
A Glimpse Into the Motorcycle Subculture
This highly anticipated film stars Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, and Tom Hardy, bringing to life the intense dynamics within a Midwestern motorcycle club. Originally slated for release on Dec. 1st, the film will now open on June 21st.
The Inspiration Behind The Story
The Bikeriders draws inspiration from photographer Danny Lyon, who first gained recognition for his Civil Rights movement photography. Lyon followed and joined the Chicago chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club from 1963 to 1967, capturing this period’s raw reality in thousands of photos, and later published a powerful book with those images titled ‘The Bikeriders’.
A New Photobook To Dive Deeper
Timed with the film’s release, Insight Editions has published a new photography book, Vandals: The Photography of The Bikeriders. This visual companion to the film captures its essence through the lenses of Bryan Schutmaat and Kyle Bono Kaplan. Schutmaat expressed his aim to do justice to the subject matter without merely emulating Lyon’s seminal works. He communicated, I just wanted to do the subject matter justice.
The Craft Behind The Film
Director Jeff Nichols takes cues from Lyon’s work for authenticity while blending fictional elements for narrative liberty. His vision led him and his team to painstakingly recreate historical accuracy in every detail, from dialogue based on original audio tapes to meticulously chosen period leathers and patches.
The Cast Embodies Their Characters
Nichols praised his cast, including Tom Hardy and Austin Butler, for nailing both mannerisms and voices. Reflecting on their performances, Nichols said: The actors did such an amazing job to recreate.
Your Chance To See It First
This is your opportunity to experience The Bikeriders at a special advance screening in St. Louis. Don’t miss out on seeing this visceral portrayal of motorcycle gang culture brought to life by an exceptional cast and crew.
Follow Us
