Here to Be Heard: The Story of The Slits

Here to Be Heard: The Story of The Slits is a spellbinding documentary film from 2017 that focuses on the groundbreaking all-female British punk rock band, The Slits. Directed by William E. Badgley, it portrays an in-depth account of The Slits' evolution and the struggles they faced in a male-dominated industry, while highlighting their impact on the punk rock scene and beyond.

The film elegantly breaks apart the chronology of The Slits' journey by blending numerous interviews with the band's surviving members, Tessa Pollitt, Palmolive, and Viv Albertine, as well as musical contemporaries and friends. It also embodies a variety of archival footage and images showcasing the band's performances and off-stage moments, thereby providing the audience with an intimate and honest perspective into the lives of these progressive women.

What was unique about The Slits, as the documentary portrays, is that they were more than just a punk rock band. At a time when punk was coming into being, the band emerged in the late 1970s with a distinct, unshaped raw sound and an uninhibited attitude that was as entirely inventive as it was endearing.

Their music assaulted the traditional notions of femininity and the music industry itself. This documentary encapsulates their peculiar mix of punk, reggae, and experimental rock, while also unraveling the complexity of their unapologetic feminist presence in a scene that was, paradoxically, dominated by men.

One of the captivating aspects of Here to Be Heard: The Story of The Slits is its candid portrayal of the band's internal struggles. Being an all-female band in an era that stifled female representation in the music industry, their journey was fraught with sexism, tension, and animosity.

However, the rawness of their music and flamboyance continued to win hearts. Their courage, talent, and originality are what kept them going, becoming one of the most influential female bands in history. The film underlines their progressing sound, heavily influenced by reggae, the effect they had on audiences and the legacy they've left behind.

The excellent use of archival footage provides a glimpse into The Slits' roller coaster journey combining the highs of their ground-breaking live performances to the lows of their struggle in breaking stereotypes thrust upon them. As per the narrative brought out by Tessa Pollitt, The Slits’ bassist, the film also reflects a down to earth retelling of the band's story, which, while rich in its honesty and intensity, portrays an unpretentious view of the band’s navigation through the punk rock scene.

Phenomenal figures such as Sid Vicious (Sex Pistols) and Billy Idol (Generation X), who were contemporaneous to The Slits, are also featured in the documentary. Their perspectives are woven into the narrative to provide additional insight into the band's influence during the punk rock movement.

One of the most significant segments of the film is the depiction of Ari Up, the charismatic front-woman of The Slits, who tragically passed away in 2010. Although she isn't alive to tell her story, her spirit and rambunctious energy are palpable through the potent use of archival clips and heartfelt reminiscences shared by her bandmates and friends.

Here to Be Heard: The Story of The Slits takes its audience along the challenging and exhilarating experience of a band that carved its niche and dominated a genre in the realm of music. Just like the music they produced, the documentary is a thought-provoking, rebellious and yet, beautiful narration of the struggles, triumphs, and influence of this female punk rock band.

The film is an enthralling ride through the history of feminism and punk rock that illustrates The Slits’ distinctive voice and steadfast resilience enduring through the decades. It does a brilliant job of encapsulating their tumult, vibrance, and the prevailing sense of joy that they held onto, despite all odds. Whether you're a fan of punk rock or feminist history, or just love a good documentary, Here to Be Heard: The Story of The Slits has much to offer its viewers.