Films
STORY OF THE SLITS
A punky-reggae feminist revolution/revalation that predates the riot-grrrl movement by quite a few decades, THE SLITS gatecrashed punk and then became quickly bored with it, ignoring three-chord thrash rules and instead incoporating elements of freeform jazz as well as African and Jamaican rhythms. This is their story, told by the original band members alongside noteworthy companions like Neneh Cherry,Vivien Goldman, Dennis Bovel, Don Letts, Budgie (Siouxsie & The Banshees), Gina Birch (The Raincoats), Adrian Sherwood and others.
Founded in 1976 in London by a group of 14-year-old girls,Here to Be Heard documents a group that was threatening to guys and inspiring to girls. In an England ruled by bowler-hatted men and prowled by racists, Tessa, Palmolive, Viv Albertine and maverick front-woman Ari-Up made the music they wanted, no compromises. Thanks to director William E Badgley, The Slits’ importance is presented to a new generation. Combining new and archival footage with probing interviews, the film makes for an unruly portrait of a band almost too punk for punk.
HERE TO BE HEARD: THE STORY OF THE SLITS
Sunday 16th September, 2018
1.00pm
Factory Theatre, Marrickville
Presented by Groovescooter for the Sydney Underground Film Festival