Hard-rocking indie film set in Idaho Falls premieres Friday

The 1980s will be back in Idaho Falls this weekend, and you won’t need a special phone booth or a plutonium-powered DeLorean to visit them. You’ll just need to get to the Paramount Theater on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

That’s when filmmaker Michael Charboneau is screening his film “Turn It Up” for its Idaho Falls premiere. A semi-autobiographical coming-of-age tale set in 1985, “Turn It Up” tells the story of “the greatest band that never was” of small-town kids chasing their rock star dreams.

The film is set in Idaho Falls and features the music of ’80s rock heavyweights like Judas Priest, Quiet Riot and Warrant.

“Everybody has some little story, some little memory, some little part of their life that makes a good movie,” Charboneau told East Idaho News.com. “This is my memory that did that.”

Charboneau based the story on his memories of growing up in Idaho Falls and playing in a locally popular rock group called Attitude Problem. Charboneau, who wrote, directed and produced the film, said its biggest hook is that it’s fun.

“Our movie is about the fun: the hanging with your friends, the listening to the music, the going to concerts,” he said. “The ’80s music was all about fun. ‘Nothin’ but a Good Time.’ ‘Gonna rock ‘n’ roll all night and party every day.’ It was always about having fun and having a good time, and that is what this movie is all about.”

The film also tells a familiar, relatable story about dreaming big and pursuing your passion amid everyday challenges.

“These guys want to be rock stars,” Charboneau said. “But they’re a bunch of goofs and just having a really, really good time. And this, deep down, is about a group of six guys who are brothers to the end.”

Charboneau said he’s excited about the prospect of sharing this tale of brotherhood and loud music with the world, and he’s equally excited that some of the members of Attitude Problem who still live in Idaho Falls will be attending the premiere.

Like the band in the film, getting “Turn It Up” made has been a trial in perseverance. The movie was independently produced, meaning Charboneau didn’t have the luxury of major Hollywood studio money to fall back on.

“Everything you see, hear, and think about on this movie is us pushing forward, pushing forward and pushing forward,” he said. “Much like the concept of the band, it’s been sheer tenacity. It’s so stinking expensive to make films. You’re putting so much money into things, that to take a chance on a small independent film is a tough road to go.”

Luckily, Charboneau has been able to find people to support his vision, including Steve Lynch, guitarist of the ’80s metal band Autograph.

“Steve Lynch and I became friends quite a few years back,” said Charboneau. “We kind of connected one day and got to talking about our love of ’80s music, and I pitched him on the idea of the film.”

Lynch sparked to the idea and got involved in procuring the music licensing for the film.

The music is so present in the film, it becomes a character in its own right.

“The film is full of late-’70s and ’80s music,” he said. “It’s got 22 songs, either originals from the original bands or covers. We also have five originals from Attitude Problem in the mix.”

Basically, Charboneau says, “Turn It Up” is “’American Grafitti’ set to 1980s hair metal music.”

If that sounds like a good time to you, then be at the Paramount Theater on Friday with your hair teased up and your spandex on. And the film is R-rated for strong language and adult situations, so you may not want to bring the kids.

Tickets are available at the Paramount Theater on Niagara Street in Idaho Falls. Visit the “Turn It Up” Premiere Event Facebook page or the movie’s website for more information.