He was originally the boyfriend of a very young Carrie Bradshaw in prequel of Sex & The City, and everyone expected that he wouldn’t make it on the big or small screen. Do you want it or not, the career of Austin Butler, a 33-year-old young actor from Anaheim, California, has literally taken off in 2022. The credit? Having played the role of Elvis Presley in the film of the same name by Baz Luhrmann, with which the actor, until then relatively little known, won a BAFTA it’s a Golden Globes, and was nominated for an Oscar. Now, you might say, what does this young blond, blue-eyed actor have to do with motorbikes? The Answer is coming June 21, 2024 to theaters, with The Bikeridersa film that concerns our world very closely.
The story of the Outlaws, the “unforgiving” motorcyclists
The Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Clubwhich many simply call Outlaws MC, is among the oldest and best-known motorcycle clubs of the United States. Its founding dates back almost 90 years ago, in 1935 in McCook, Illinois, by a group of employees of the Electro-Motive Companyone subsidiary of General Motors. The club was initially known as the McCook Outlaws Motorcycle Club, but in the 1950s, with the move to Chicago, it changed its name to Chicago Outlaws. A name that, after the decline in activity during the Second World War, marked a revival of interest culminating in the first major post-war motorcycle rally at Soldier Field in 1946.
In the meantime, however, the adoption of a harsher image and a renewed logo, characterized by a small skull, marked a clear change of direction. In 1963, the Outlaws became the first officially recognized “one-percent” motorcycle club east of the Mississippi, a term meaning an association outside the law. After all, their motto is God forgives, Outlaws don’t (God forgives, i Outlaw no), a mood that was reflected in their historical rivalry with i Hells Angelswhich often led to violent clashes.
Despite having been associated with numerous criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion and organized violence, the Outlaws are recognized as members of the so-called Big Fourthe informal club that includes the four longest-running motorcycle clubs in the USA, together with the Hells Angels, Bandidos and Pagans.
And it is precisely at the Outlaws, present today with 441 chapters in 43 countries around the worldwhich is dedicated The Bikeridersthe film about to be released in theaters around the world.
The Bikeriders, a film about motorcycles
The film is inspired by a 1968 photography book by Danny Lyonwhich documented the life of a motorcycle group called the “Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club.”
In the film, the young man Austin Butler interprets Benny, one of the club’s members, and the plot follows the evolution of the club and the stories – both inside and outside the club – of its members over the years. The story explores themes such as freedom, brotherhood, rebelliousness and the internal dynamics of the group. The narrative is focused on personal experiences of motorcycliststheir relationships, and the challenges they face as they try to maintain their identity and independence in a rapidly changing world.
The film seeks to capture the essence of the era’s motorcycle culture, showcasing both the allure and hardships of an unconventional lifestyle, with a combination of drama, action and introspection. The sometimes violent scenes and the use of profanity made it classified as prohibited for under 17sespecially in the USA, where these issues are very sensitive.
The trailer of the film
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