Glory Daze: The Life and Times of Michael Alig

Glory Daze: The Life and Times of Michael Alig is a captivating documentary film that was released in 2015, directed by Ramon Fernandez. The documentary stars Michael Alig himself, Noel Ashman, and Fenton Bailey. It's an all-encompassing chronicle that gives viewers a deep and raw insight into the life of Michael Alig, one of the most infamous personalities in New York's club scene.

The film begins by charting Michael Alig's rise in the world of club kids in the 1980s and 90s. It allows a deep dive into the subculture that revolved around wild parties and outrageous fashions, a scene in which Alig was a leading figure. Alig, Indiana-born and ambitiously wide-eyed, became known as the 'King of the Club Kids' and used his influence to dominate New York’s nightlife, hosting parties at clubs like the Limelight.

The documentary does not shy away from shining a light on the darker parts of Alig's life, discussing his struggle with drug addiction and the events that led up to his imprisonment. Using footage from the period, along with interviews from people who were part of Alig's life, the film tells an objective tale of Alig's rise and fall.

Playing a significant role in the film, Noel Ashman, a club owner and promoter who was deeply involved in the nightlife scene, provides insights into Alig's character and the charisma that made him a focal point of the club scene. Ashman's insider knowledge of the era adds a touch of authenticity to the narrative.

Also featured in the documentary is Fenton Bailey, a filmmaker who has extensively documented the club scene and Alig's life in particular. Bailey provides an informed perspective, having previously directed 'Party Monster: The Shockumentary,' a TV documentary about Alig's life and the club kid phenomenon.

Glory Daze: The Life and Times of Michael Alig is visually stimulating, blending a rich blend of archival footage and interviews with modern-day perspectives. It captures the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of Alig's life while mirroring the decadence of New York's club scene during the late 80s and early 90s.

The film lays bare Alig's initially exhilarating but eventually spiralling journey while giving viewers a taste of a lifestyle that was defined by excess. Many elements of the era are presented – the grandeur and beats of the era's music scene, the pop art-inspired fashion, and the unbound hedonism that underscored the nightlife; all are brought back to life on screen.

The carefully constructed narrative of Glory Daze: The Life and Times of Michael Alig delves deep into the psychology of its titular character, showcasing how his excessive lifestyle led to his downfall. The movie does not attempt to defend or vilify Alig but instead allows his colourful and disturbing life to manifest itself through the eyes of those who knew him and through Alig's own words.

In engaging this complex tale of fame, infamy, addiction, and decadence, Glory Daze: The Life and Times of Michael Alig serves as a cautionary reflection on the pitfalls of unchecked indulgence and obsession with fame. This introspective film provides audiences with a rare window into the avant-garde club scene of New York City and its shocking underworld, making it a must-watch for those intrigued by unique subcultures and real-life stories of rise and fall.

In underling the importance of the human aspiration to belong and the need for self-expression, the film also comments on how these desires, in their extreme forms, could lead to unhealthy addiction and self-destruction.

Whether viewers find themselves morbidly fascinated, emotionally stirred, or thoughtfully reflective, one thing is for sure: Glory Daze: The Life and Times of Michael Alig offers an unflinching glimpse into a life that seems more like fiction than reality, and it will leave them pondering long after the credits roll.