Directed by Jenny Waldo, Acid Test, a coming-of-age film fueled by Riot Grrrl music, has its West Coast premiere at Dances with Films festival on June 18.
Acid Test stars Juliana DeStefano, Brian Thornton, Mia Ruiz, Reece Everett Ryan, Mai Le, and Sara Gaston. The film features music by Texas bands Pleasure Venom, Fea, Giant Kitty, ImposterBoys, Britt, and All Gonna Die.
Set in 1992, against the backdrop of the presidential election between Bush, Clinton, and Perot, a Latina teen enters her senior year with life-long plans to attend Harvard. On a night out with her best friend, she discovers Riot Grrrl, an aggressive feminist punk music, and impulsively drops acid. As she drifts farther and farther from “the plan,” she dives into new experiences, exploring her Mexican heritage, defining herself on her own terms, and rebelling against her father’s control.
Featuring archival footage, a 3-camera concert shoot, and a 6-minute “oner,” the film celebrates over 70% women and/or BIPOC in its cast and crew including a female writer/director, cinematographer and sound designer.
This is the debut feature film of writer/director Jenny Waldo based on her award-winning short film which was selected at festivals all over the country. Acid Test premiered at the 2021 Austin Film Festival.
Watch the trailer for Acid Test.