Born In Flames is set in New York City, in a hypothetical post-socialist United States. Although the government claims to be progressive and attentive to equality, in reality, sexism and racism are still quite pervasive in the government and society at large. In addition, there is a serious problem with violence against women which neither the government nor the police will address seriously. A group of women who run a pirate radio station and their friends decide to start a squad of bicycle police to patrol for violent crime, and subsequently endeavor to spur a real revolution, and affect real change in their city.
Born In Flames was directed by feminist filmmaker Lizzie Borden. Born In Flames was released in 1983, and won awards at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Créteil International Women's Film Festival in the same year. The film was released on video in 1997 by First Run Features.
The main song in the film's soundtrack is "Born in Flames" by The Red Krayola, a somewhat psychedelic noise punk band which over the years included members of the bands X-Ray Spex and The Raincoats, among others.
In Flames is a Swedish melodic death metal band from the city of Gothenburg.
However, In Flames soon became known to most of Europe with the release of the EP from 1995 Subterranean (vocals on this release were recorded by Henke Forss, soon to be replaced by Fridén).
In Flames were honored with the "Swedish Music Export" prize at Sweden's "Grammis" awards, which were held Tuesday night, February 7, 2006 at Cirkus in Stockholm.