The Slits Documentary Turns to Kickstarter to Finish Film
British punks the Slits are finally getting their own documentary, and the filmmakers have launched a Kickstarter to raise $30,000 to finalize deals on archival footage, music and photos.
Here to Be Heard: The Story of the Slits has been in production for the past two years with Jennifer Shagawat (Starcleaner Records, Shellshag) and William E. Badgley (Kill All Redneck Pricks: A Documentary Film About a Band Called Karp) at the helm. Pledge incentives include everything from specially designed button sets and tote bags to the promotion of independent labels and businesses on film merchandise and in the film’s end credits. According to the Kickstarter page, the film is shot and in its final stages.
The trailer previews a number of interviews with the group’s original members, close friends and punk peers such as Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols. “You really felt like anything could explode,” drummer Palmolive says in the clip. “And sometimes it did.” Peers, associates and friends offer praise for how revolutionary the band had been, especially with its primarily all-female line-up at the time and throughout the years in a male-heavy punk scene. “They found a way to destroy rock and roll,” Tanju Boerue, manager of late vocalist Ari Up‘s solo career, offers.
Here to Be Heard will be the first film on the group. Last year, guitarist Viv Albertine released her memoir Clothes Clothes Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys Boys, which offered a rare glimpse into the band’s heyday.
According to the trailer, the film will be released this fall.