After the dark ages when South Beach was the '80s crime scene of Scarface, the island transformed into what became known as the Golden Glamour period, when the beautiful, chic set, including perhaps the glammest of them all, Gianni Versace, moved in. Gentrification soon enraptured the city and all was well in paradise. Until... wait for it... just like a scene from Miami Vice, Versace was famously murdered in 1997 in front of his mansion. According to Hunter Braithwait, of Miami blog There Is No There, this decline can be seen in director Kevin Arrow's movie Gianni Versace Harry Pussy, which will be screening at the Formalist Sidewalk Poetry Club tonight. Braithwait claims that the killing marked the end of the glitterati rule and the swinging palm trees slowly receded back to the South Beach of yesteryear. Enter recession punks, low-budget and danceable night clubs and wearing all black at the beach. Is this where we're heading to again? Even if you can't catch the flick, read Braithwait's opinion piece, and let us know in the comments below if you're of the same (slightly depressing) mind.
Tonight only, Kevin Arrow, will be screening
Gianni Versace Harry Pussy, shot in Super 8, at the Formalist Sidewalk Poetry Club at 9 p.m. He'll be discussing the murder, the film and the future of South Beach. 235 Southwest 12th Street (between SW 1st and SW 2nd avenues); 305-538-5980.
Photo: Courtesy of There is No There