HEAR TO BE HEARD shines an overdue spotlight on the most anarchic and unique band to come out of Punk, The Slits.
The film focusses on Tessa Pollitt, the band's bass player, as she looks through her scrapbook compiled during the fast-moving years of their notoriety.
When drummer Palmolive spotted 14 year-old Ari Up having a tantrum at a Patti Smith gig she asked her if she wanted to form a band. Their first bassist and guitarist were soon jettisoned, replaced by Tessa and Viv Albertine.
Supporting The Clash on their White Riot tour saw recurring chauvinist problems first appear: rather than The Clash, it was The Slits who were refused entry to hotels - and the tour bus - while the mainstream press treated them as Girls Gone Bad.
The film stands as a tribute to the unique quartet and that moment which gave them opportunity to express themselves.
Shelf or charity shop? A keeper although the film feels too scattergun to be totally successful. I would definitely recommend Viv Albertine's memoir CLOTHES CLOTHES CLOTHES, MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC, BOYS BOYS BOYS for a deeper exploration into the internal and external pressures on The Slits.
No comments:
Post a Comment