SCREENING OF END OF THE CENTURY - THE STORY OF THE RAMONES DOCUMENTARY AT THE RAMONES MUSEUM BERLIN ON JULY 5, 2013.

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Copyright 2013 -> Jan Beddies and Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone.

This text is written by Jan Beddies.

There was a screening of End Of The Century: The Story Of The Ramones at the Ramones Museum Berlin with it's director Michael Gramaglia as special guest. The event was dedicated to Arturo Vega who passed away month earlier (June 8, 2013). I spoke briefly with Flo Hayler who run Museum. He was still deeply moved, especially when Arturo in the movie talked about Joey Ramone's fight against cancer in his last days. The event was beside these feelings a great evening.
I think, there were at least 40 people in the Museum. And for me it was great, to see the film again after some years. After the screening, there was a question&answer discussion with the director Michael Gramaglia. First time, I watched the film was in 2003 at the big Berlinale Film festival. Michael Gramiglia told us, that he had strange memories at the screening in 2003, because he recognized, that the people came from all over Europe to see the film.

Quite interesting was the discussion about Johnny Ramone. There were some question about Johnny being right wing conservative, hating Joey and so on. Michael told a nice episode. In the movie Johnny seems to be quite tough, when he was asked, if he was touched by Joey's death. And he that just "yes, it moved me for a week." Linda told Michael later, that he locked himself into his room and wept for a week. And he sent flowers for Joey's funeral, which were sent back by Joey's estate.
Flo told the audience, that it was Johnny, who had an eye on the fans. He was the one, who asked the 16 years old Flo, if his parents know where he is, if Flo has enough money for the trip to the next concert, if he needs a ticket for the next show etc. At last Johnny Ramone was the only one, who thanks the fans at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Ceremony (ok, and also he blessed President Bush).

Just some examples of really great memories shared on that evening. Micheal Gramaglia said at the end, that there hopefully will be a 10th anniversary edition of End Of The Century: The Story Of The Ramones in next year with some bonus outtakes. Maybe on iTunes, because they don't sell enough DVD's at the United States anymore.

Thanks Jan Beddies of writing thise review/ story of this event.