Skip to main content

Deep Dive: The Punk Singer (2013)

Play Trailer

Film Lens

The Punk Singer
The Punk Singer is a documentary about Kathleen Hanna, the feminist singer known for her work with Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, and her role in the riot grrrl movement. Directed by Sini Anderson, the film combines interviews and archival footage to trace Hanna's life from her troubled childhood to her influential music career. It covers her beginnings in spoken word performance, the creation of her zines, and her significant contributions to punk music, including coining the phrase 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' for Kurt Cobain. The film also addresses Hanna's personal struggles, including her marriage to Adam Horovitz of the Beastie Boys and her battle with late-stage Lyme disease, which she was diagnosed with in 2010. This documentary marks the first public announcement of her health issues and provides insight into her decision to step back from performing. The film emphasizes the importance of female voices in the punk scene, as Hanna chose to limit male interviews, wanting women to be the primary experts featured.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Kathleen Hanna, punk icon and feminist activist.
  • •See rare archival footage of Bikini Kill performances.
  • •Follow Hanna's journey through illness and activism.

Did You Know

•Kathleen Hanna coined the phrase 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' for Kurt Cobain.
•The film premiered in March 2013 at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
•Anderson raised $46,000 through a Kickstarter campaign to fund the film.
•Hanna struggled with Lyme disease symptoms since 2005 without knowing the cause.

Perfect For

Feminist music historyPunk rock enthusiastsFans of Kathleen Hanna