$100 and a T-Shirt

Now in its third incarnation, the re-releasing of $100 and a T-shirt is timely. Clocking in at just under an hour, the documentary acts as a “Zines For Dummies,” discussing the methods and ethics behind a handful of Northwest US zines. It gives a first-hand look into the people that give these tiny booklets life. The zine creators pay for each page out of their own pockets, print endless copies at Kinko’s, drink tons of coffee and smoke cigarettes, and celebrate their unique voices. The film’s soundtrack includes Defiance, Ohio and the late Lance Hann and J Church, suiting the rebellious nature of the content.

The landscape of zine culture has shrunk since the documentary’s debut, and several of the publications featured in the documentary are not currently active. Both large and small go with the ebb and flow of each creator’s desire, drive, and income. Despite these real-world drawbacks, the film suggests that there will always be an enclave of devotees across the planet that refuses to buy into the webzine or blog phenomenon.

$100 and a T-shirt is refreshingly low frills, loaded with an ample supply of heart. It’s perfect for anyone that has crafted a zine, fallen in love with someone’s words, or continues to fight the good fight.

- Matt Pullman

$100 and a T-Shirt
Joe Biel
DVD, 128 minutes, $12.95, MVD Visual