Kathleen Hanna not only tore up the stage when she performed, showing that she was a force to be reckoned with, she also proved that she was an inspirational figure of the influential Riot Grrrl feminist movement. A figure for young women, and some men, to look up to, and helping to give a voice to those who didn't have one in a predominantly male world. Sini Anderson's portrayal of this outspoken, fiercely confident feminist icon takes us on a ride of Hanna's past and her present using never-seen before footage and interviews.
We start the journey looking into Kathleen's life before Bikini Kill, and it is evident from the word go that this young girl wasn't going to sit around in silence; she had an opinion and she wanted people to hear it. The Riot Grrrl movement spawned from her band Bikini Kill and broke the ice for modern feminists following in her footsteps.
The documentary doesn't seek to make us feel sorry for Hanna or her followers, it shows a group of young women that are pro-active and alluring because they want to be. Writing lyrics about sexual abuse and female issues, these are lyrics that are worth celebrating. Bikini Kill were a band that wanted to storm through the music world speaking the truth and doing it doing something that they enjoyed.
We see the journey take a new path when Hanna ends Bikini Kill and go onto her next project, Electro pop trio Le Tigre. This new project was a hybrid of music and art, merging the two together. The performances were both compelling and fascinating to watch. We see a more vulnerable side to Hanna as she embarks on this new journey; later on in her life the late diagnosis of Lyme disease would thwart her ability to perform. The documentary shows us a more emotional, scared Hanna, yet her desire to speak out is never gone; she never stops trying to be an inspirational figure for all those who don't have a voice.
This thought-provoking documentary gives us an insight into the world of Kathleen Hanna. It shows us just how hard it was for female musicians, how they had to fight to be recognised and respected, and how Hanna fought and fought and eventually received the recognition she deserved. It's a raw and eye opening insight into Hanna's life as a pioneer for the nineties Riot Grrrl movement, the rightful leader. Anderson's representation of this icon opens our eyes to one of the most influential feminist activists of our time.
The Punk Singer was showing at Broadway Cinema. Other music documentaries currently showing at Broadway include: Musicwood (Monday 2 June) American Interior (until Thursday 5 June), Pulp: A Film About Life, Death and Supermarkets (Saturday 7 June), The National: Mistaken For Strangers: (Saturday 14 June), Jersey Boys (from 20 June).
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
