The Punk Singer (15), GFT, February 28 (9pm) and March 1 (2.45pm)
The Punk Singer (15), GFT, February 28 (9pm) and March 1 (2.45pm)
There's a telling scene in Sini Anderson's absorbing documentary about musician and feminist activist Kathleen Hanna in which the Bikini Kill singer and Riot Grrrl founder is shown being interviewed in the mid-1990s wearing a red ski mask with a hole cut for a mouth. In a week in which members of Pussy Riot have been attacked in Sochi, it's clear that Hanna's influence continues to be felt. All this makes The Punk Singer's screening in Glasgow even more timely and welcome.
With male interviewees kept to a minimum - Hanna's husband, Beastie Boy Adam Horovitz, is the main contributor - it's left to the distaff side to fill in those parts of the story Hanna doesn't dwell on. Joan Jett and Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon are the most recognisable but we hear too from Hanna's former bandmates in Bikini Kill and its successor, Le Tigre. Going out with an emotional punch, the documentary's climax comes with Hanna's revelation she is suffering from Lyme disease - but has returned to recording after a break of eight years. The Friday screening will be introduced by Lauren Maybury, singer with Glasgow band Chvrches and co-founder of feminist collective TYCI.
Barry Didcock
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