Suzi Q

Suzi Q is a riveting documentary feature from 2019 that shines a spotlight on the iconic female rocker Suzi Quatro, and her groundbreaking achievements that paved the way for countless female musicians. The film provides an unprecedented access to Suzi Quatro’s life, interspersed with eminent personas from the music industry. Directed by Liam Firmager, Suzi Q showcases a real-life wonder woman standing tall and unyielding in a male-dominated sector.

The film profiles the legendary Detroit native who burst onto the music scene in the early 1970s. Quatro was one of the pioneering women in rock music, achieving massive popularity in the United Kingdom and Australia while challenging gender stereotypes by presenting herself as a strong, independent woman playing a traditionally masculine instrument. In Suzi Q, Quatro herself, along with famous contributors such as Germaine Greer, Cherie Currie, Alice Cooper, Debbie Harry and others, embark on a narration of a tale filled with triumph, struggle, courage, and charisma.

From her early days growing up in a musical family, to her international superstardom as a musician, actress and singer-songwriter, Suzi Q paints an intricate and comprehensive portrait of Quatro's journey. Using a captivating array of photographs, archival footage, interviews with family and friends, and of course, tons of her music, the film expertly captures the ups and downs of her life and career.

Quatro’s journey to stardom was not an easy one. The film dives into the challenges she faced, from breaking out of a traditional feminine mold to facing rejection from her own homeland, the USA, despite being a sensation in places like the UK and Australia. Quatro’s influence as a trailblazer for women in rock is highlighted with Germaine Greer and Cherie Currie offering heartfelt experiences. Greer, infamous feminist writer, talks about how Quatro disregarded expectations and made the image of a powerful woman cool. Currie, a member of the groundbreaking all-female band The Runaways, vividly explains how Quatro was a major influence in her life and career.

Quatro’s story is an intriguing juxtaposition of success and frustration. Away from the bass guitar and the limelight, Quatro’s life entailed an undefined search for identity, destructive familial dispute, and personal battles which this movie beautifully captures. It seamlessly transitions between Quatro’s transformation as the leather-clad rocker queen to the private person living and experiencing daily-life struggles, illuminating a side of Quatro that’s rarely seen. The interviews with Quatro, candid and poignant as they are, allow for an exploration of her internal world, driving the film forward with her life’s highs and lows.

Beyond Quatro’s personal life, Suzi Q showcases the seismic shifts she initiated in the music industry. The impact of Suzi Quatro on women in rock and roll cannot be overstated, and the film aptly portrays this influence. She stepped onto a stage dominated by men, and not only did she break in, she excelled, making the bass guitar her weapon of choice. Quatro was a boundary-breaker, a rule redefiner, and a path pioneer, opening up the lane for countless women who wished to follow in her footsteps.

Suzi Q does not just tell Suzi Quatro’s story; it showcases a piece of music history that has largely been overlooked, providing an insistent reminder of the barriers Quatro broke and the impact she had. The result is a vibrant, at times heart-wrenching, lively and inspirational film that takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride through a truly remarkable life.

Peppered with humor, honesty, and a deep sense of resilience, Suzi Q pays homage to the legacy of an artist who walked the challenging path of being a woman in a man's world. It is a film about perseverance, self-belief, and the transformative capacity of music. All of these qualities converged in the figure of Suzi Quatro and this film, in its rich storytelling and vibrant cinematic style, offers an intimate and engaging journey into the life of a true rock icon.

In the end, what makes Suzi Q more than just another biography of a rock and roll star is Suzi Quatro herself. Her vivacious personality shines through every part of this movie, her charisma providing the film with a magnetic energy that pulls us in. Suzi Q succeeds brilliantly in revealing what an extraordinary talent she is – a woman whose bravery and tenacity changed the course of music history.