L7: Pretend We're Dead is a captivating documentary charting the rise, fall, and ultimate resurrection of the notable all-female alternative rock band, L7. This 2016 film by Sarah Price is an in-depth exploration of the band's journey through the raw and raucous world of rock 'n' roll, told through the perspective of band members Donita Sparks, Suzi Gardner, Jennifer Finch, and Demetra Plakas. Utilizing a potent mix of never-before-seen footage, candid interviews, and animation, L7: Pretend We’re Dead is far more than a chronicle of a groundbreaking band – it’s a tribute to the turbulent landscape of the '90s music scene and the enduring power of rock.

The film begins with the band's formation in 1985 in Los Angeles during the punk rock scene. L7 was not just on the periphery of the grunge movement but was an integral part of it. The documentary reminds us that this group of foul-mouthed, rebellious women forged their own path in an industry often dominated by men, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music with their punk ethos and unrestrained authenticity.

Through extensive archive footage, fans are given an intimate view of L7’s early days. Home video clips, personal anecdotes, and concert recordings provide an insight into the band's dynamic – their sense of humor, shared camaraderie and the gritty charm that endeared them to their audience. The band's evolution, from the heady days of their initial success to the poignant moments of disillusionment and discord after a decade of relentless touring and creative output, is brought sharply into focus.

But L7: Pretend We're Dead isn’t only about music, rock and roll, and performance. It also delves into the very personal, human aspects of the band members. Audiences get to understand the determination and grit that drove the band, the strain of their rigorous touring schedule, and how their unapologetic defiance of societal norms impacted their personal lives.

The film also takes the viewers into the band's activism. Notably, the band's involvement in the creation of Rock for Choice, a pro-choice women's rights group which organized concerts in the early 90s to benefit the abortion rights movement. This not only underscores L7's punk ideology but also establishes them as committed advocates for women's rights.

Despite the band's dissolution in 2001, L7's music and influence continue to resonate, and this documentary celebrates their enduring impact. The film also covers their eventual reunion in 2014, marked by a string of new performances, and now a resurgence of interest in their music.

The band’s direct involvement in the production of the film lends it an authenticity and rawness that mirrors the music that they created. There are moments of vulnerability, humor, defiance, desperation, and victory, much like the chords and rhythms found in their most unforgettable tracks. This isn’t a sanitized, romanticized version of music history – it’s as loud, brash, and uncompromising as L7 themselves.

Price’s documentary doesn't shy away from the less glamorous or difficult moments. It captures the tensions between band members, the draining nature of the music industry, and the struggles of being a pioneering woman in a male-dominated scene. But it also highlights the reunions, the triumphs, and the undeniable legacy of a band that refused to be anything but themselves.

In artfully combining the band's personal archives, animation, and contemporary interviews with the members revealing their own stories, L7: Pretend We're Dead offers the audience a compelling narrative of raw passion, combustible personalities and punk rebellion. The film concludes on a hopeful note, celebrating the band's reunion, their indomitable spirit, and their enduring influence on generations of musicians and music lovers.

In sum, L7: Pretend We're Dead is a powerful, authentic, and heartfelt film that will resonate with fans of the band, followers of the punk/grunge era, and anyone interested in the music industry's untold stories. It salvages L7 from the footnotes of rock history and places them rightfully in the spotlight, letting their anthems roar once again. It effectively captures the spirit of L7: undaunted, unrepentant, unforgettable. It’s loud, it’s messy, it's raw and it's real - just like rock 'n' roll should be.