Smithereens (film)

Smithereens is a 1982 American independent film directed by Susan Seidelman. It is considered a landmark of the American independent film movement of the 1980s. The film stars Susan Berman as Wren, a young woman from rural New Jersey who is adrift in New York City, pursuing fame and attention while leaving a trail of broken relationships in her wake.

The plot follows Wren's attempts to climb the social ladder in the punk and new wave scene of downtown Manhattan. She spends her time putting up posters advertising herself and desperately trying to connect with anyone who might offer her an opportunity. She becomes involved with Paul (Brad Rijn), a naive young man from upstate New York, and later, Eric (Richard Hell), a musician she hopes will help her achieve her goals.

Smithereens is notable for its gritty realism and its portrayal of a specific time and place in New York City history. It captures the atmosphere of the early 1980s punk and new wave scene, and its depiction of Wren's alienation and ambition resonated with audiences. The film was the first American independent film to compete for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.