“Rhino Resurrected” Review

With the digital age in full swing giving an individual the ability to easily download music to their computer, smartphone, or MP3 device, record stores have been nearly decimated. Rhino Records, one of the most influential and iconic record stores on the West Coast, and the country, thrived despite the latest technological advances because of its ingenuity to reinvent the wheel whether it was by coming out with quirky box sets, calendars, novelty records or just plain simple having the most rare music available. A big corporation takeover was its demise but Rhino Record’s legacy and a recent “Rhino Records pop-up” record store in the store’s hometown of Los Angeles, served as the inspiration for Keith Shapiro’s documentary, “Rhino Resurrected.”

The film takes the viewer through the history of the much beloved record store and why it was so important to not only the community, but to the music industry beginning with Rhino Record’s founder, Richard Foos, opening the pop-up record store that aimed to re-create the “Rhino” vibe. “Rhino Resurrected” is a delight to “Rhino” fans everywhere as well as those that never walked through its doors before.

The completely independent 77 minute documentary features bizarre treasure trove of unearthed archive footage, blazing live performances, and funny and surprising new interviews from all the colorful record maniacs and musicians who made Rhino the special place it was.

A Q&A session followed the film. Keith Shapiro explained how creating this film wasn’t hard because the more the story developed, the crazier it got and the more fascinated he became with the project.

Recommended. Check out the Film Festival’s schedule for future screenings of “Rhino Resurrected.”

For more information about the film and its filmmakers you may check out the official website.