Sini Anderson’s first full-length documentary, "The Punk Singer" chronicles Kathleen Hanna’s leadership in the riot grrrl movement of the 1990s as well as her mostly undocumented private life, finally explaining her public absence since 2005.

Although her music career prompted her rise to fame, activism is arguably the most important aspect of Kathleen’s adult life and career. The film documents Kathleen’s first ventures into political activism while attending The Evergreen State College during the late 1980s in various arenas: the creation of a feminist art gallery, the production of underground fashion shows with her friends, and most importantly, her participation in spoken word performances.

Fueled by the desire to reach a wider audience than spoken word allowed her, Kathleen decided to enter the punk music scene. After joining many smaller bands that did not last, she started Bikini Kill – the band that would ultimately cement her position as a trailblazer of the riot grrrl movement. Containing an aggregation of archival footage, particularly at concerts and other performances, and interviews from many participants in this movement of the early nineties, the first half of the documentary explores the broader culture of third wave feminism, providing a historical context before delving into the more specific, personal life of Kathleen Hanna. 

As Kathleen discusses the end of Bikini Kill and creation of her next big project Le Tigre as well as her sometimes-complicated relationship with Adam Horovitz of the Beastie Boys, the mood of the film becomes increasingly intimate, shifting away from this factual base. The reliance on more personal interviews to drive the latter half of the film portrays Kathleen Hanna as more than just an outspoken leader but also a relatable, strong woman – especially when discussing her struggle with Lyme disease that kept her out of the spotlight since 2005.

According to director Sini Anderson, these more emotional scenes created a lot of silence – tense, tough silence – during filming. However, by persisting through the silence, Anderson captures Kathleen’s vulnerability and honesty, producing an extremely powerful personal narrative for the film.

The documentary ends on a hopeful note as Kathleen strives to continue managing her condition and begins to work on new music with a new group, The Julie Ruin, signaling her long-awaited and much-needed reappearance in the public realm. Although the current state of pop culture is “gross,” Sini Anderson believes that (according to the twenty-year political cycles common in American history) it is time for a feminist revival. Celebrating the return of one of the most influential feminists in modern history, The Punk Singer has the potential to be more than an entertaining film but a catalyst for a new era of activism. 

The Punk Singer begins its theatrical rollout on November 29, with a screening at Cinefamily in Los Angeles, California. Find a list of other screenings here.

Reach Staff Reporter Ashley Hawkins here.