The Punk Singer (2013)

A look at the life of activist, musician, and cultural icon Kathleen Hanna, who formed the punk band Bikini Kill and pioneered the "riot grrrl" movement of the 1990s.

Director:

Sini Anderson

Stars:

Kathleen Hanna, Carrie Brownstein, Kim Gordon

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kathleen Hanna	...	Self
Tammy Rae Carland	...	Self
Kathryn Wilcox	...	Self (as Kathi Wilcox)
Tobi Vail	...	Self
Billy Karren	...	Self (archive footage)
Becca Albee	...	Self
Corin Tucker	...	Self
Allison Wolfe	...	Self (as Allison C. Wolfe)
Ann Powers	...	Self - Music Critic
Lynn Breedlove	...	Self (as Lynnee Breedlove)
Sara Marcus	...	Self - Author of 'Girls to the Front: The True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution'
Carrie Brownstein	...	Self
Joan Jett	...	Self
Kim Gordon	...	Self
Jennifer Baumgardner	...	Self

Storyline

A look at the life of activist, musician, and cultural icon Kathleen Hanna, who formed the punk band Bikini Kill and pioneered the "riot grrrl" movement of the 1990s.

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Plot Keywords:

lyme disease | feminism | riot grrl | punk | lyrics | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | Music

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Quotes

Kathleen Hanna: I just think there's this certain assumption that when a man tells the truth, it's the truth. And when, as a woman, I go to tell the truth, I feel like I have to negotiate the way I'll be perceived. Like I feel like there's always the suspicion around a woman's truth. The idea that you're exaggerating.

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Soundtracks

Stay Monkey
Written by Kathleen Hanna
Performed by Kathleen Hanna
From the album 'Julie Ruin'

User Reviews

Self-Indulgent Tripe

Firstly, let me say this: I agree that Kathleen Hanna played a very important role in feminist history and I respect her for that. Get down with your bad Riot Grrrl self! However, please, for the love of whomever you find sacred, please get some perspective!

I am very sorry that she is suffering from what is revealed at the end of this film. I am, I truly am. I have not walked a mile in her shoes but I can only assume that her journey through her health issues have been a nightmare.

Here's my problem with the film: it's such an exercise in navel-gazing and delusion, at times it's almost painful to watch. If she would have just OWNED the fact that she's married to a Beastie Boy and has access to care and treatment that most normal people do not, I would have found her story more tolerable. And let's not forget that this is supposed to be an empowered feminist, yet when she talks of her stripper past (which I am NOT judging her for), she says, "It was the only decent paying job I could get." I call B.S. on that! Honey, just own it! You wanted to strip for the money - no big deal. But please don't make it out like it was the ONLY job you could get. Puh-leeeeze! We are basically the same age and while she's a heck of a lot cuter than I ever was and looked better in a bikini than I ever did, I found a way to have a decent paying job where I didn't remove my clothes (my choice).

I wanted to love this movie. But I did not. I did however love all the old 90s footage and some fun interviews with the likes of Kim Gordon and Tavi Gevinson.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 May 2014 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

The Punk Singer

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$24,729, 1 December 2013

Gross USA:

$122,742

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$146,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

A Bird in the Hand Productions, Long Shot Factory

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1