Poly Styrene Documentary Explores Pioneering Punk Rock Legend’s Legacy

On the commencing of the documentary Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché, Celeste Bell, the daughter of earlier X-Ray Spex singer Poly Styrene, claims: “My mother was a punk rock icon. Individuals often requested me if she was a great mum. It’s troublesome to know what to say.” These folks phrases and phrases established the tone for the movie—co-directed by Bell and Paul Sng—which isn’t so considerably about getting a well-liked rock star, however quite a younger girl who confronted non-public difficulties that impacted her on a regular basis dwelling in addition to her daughter’s. 

The story of Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché (which is presently streaming within the U.Okay. and is scheduled to be screened at U.S. venues commencing this February) is pushed by Bell reexamining Styrene’s on a regular basis dwelling subsequent the singer’s dying in 2011 on the age of 53 from most cancers. By means of archival footage, commentary from Styrene’s friends and admirers–together with earlier X-Ray Spex associates Paul Dean and Lora Logic the Raincoats’ Gina Birch and Ana Da Sliva musician Thurston Moore singer Neneh Cherry deejay/filmmaker Don Letts and journalist Vivien Goldman–and her particular person personalised recollections, Bell tries to acknowledge her mom as a groundbreaking musician and pa or mum (Oscar-nominated actress Ruth Negga presents the voice of Styrene in narrating the singer’s diary entries).

As recounted within the film, the singer, who was born Marian Joan Elliott-Defined, had a difficult upbringing, Rising up in Brixton, younger Marian, who was of British and Somali observe file, skilled racism amid a hostile pure atmosphere and questioned her very personal id, which she resolved in a poem she wrote titled “Half Caste.” Being an outsider in that sense made Marian a all-natural in fine condition for the British punk rock movement and led to her to turn into Poly Styrene and kind X-Ray Spex in 1976.

Together with her unforgettable clarion singing and hanging part visible attraction (similar to outrageous outfits and braces on her tooth), Poly Styrene and X-Ray Spex obtained a interval of fame—highlighted by their now-vintage album Germfree Adolescents and an bodily look on the well-known British songs television present Main of the Pops.

The crew solidified their spot in punk rock historic previous with their rip-roaring signature observe “Oh Bondage Up Yours!”, which has been thought-about as a feminist anthem with its fashionable opening lyric: “Some women and men consider tiny ladies actually ought to be noticed and never heard.” Along with the theme of identification, the charismatic Styrene tackled different subjects in her songwriting that appears quite prescient now about society, this kind of as genetic engineering and consumerism run amok. Alongside with groundbreaking punk features these because the Raincoats and the Slits, Styrene—as a feminine of shade within the white, male-dominated atmosphere of rock—paved the freeway for upcoming lady rockers.

However despite her recognition as a punk rock star, Styrene was having difficulties on the within and felt insecure. Coping with pressures of excellent outcomes and psychological wellbeing points, Styrene was hospitalized and mistakenly identified as schizophrenic. She remaining X-Ray Spex on the peak of their peak in 1979, recorded a solo album, Translucence, that didn’t expend up the charts, after which joined the Hare Krishna motion. However as she was searching for spirituality as a member of the Hare Krishnas, Styrene was proceed to affected by traumatic and psychological well being and health challenges that additionally took a toll on Bell, who was a toddler on the time. All of it arrived to a head when the then-youthful Bell left Styrene to dwell together with her grandmother, resulting in a time frame of estrangement involving mom and daughter. “Inventive women and men do not usually make the easiest mothers and dads. And she or he definitely uncared for my wants at intervals,” Bell would later say.

There’s a considerably glad, if bittersweet, ending to the Poly Styrene story, because the singer and her daughter eventually reconciled and grew to develop into shut. Previous to her lack of life, Styrene produced a comeback by enjoying with X-Ray Spex at London’s The Roundhouse in 2008. She additionally recorded what could be her closing solo album, 2011’s Know-how Indigo. Bell afterward penned a 2019 e book about her mom’s life, Dayglo, with Zoë Howe, who additionally co-wrote the film. 

Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliché reaffirms Styrene’s legacy as a groundbreaking artist in rock. It additionally bucks new music documentary conventions by which the bigger story will not be utterly centered on the tunes, band drama or glamorous rock star surplus, however a couple of unique and complex mom-daughter connection. Bell’s literal journey to acknowledge Styrene each equally because the rocker and flawed father or mom is fairly highly effective–even heartbreaking at conditions.

Styrene and X-Ray Spex could properly have by no means ever attained bigger recognition and business achievements owing to their premature separation, however they blazed a path for lady rockers and gals-fronted bands. “I decided I’d make assured my mom’s inventive legacy was provided the popularity she warrants,” Bell stated in a director’s assertion concerning the film, and the following perform absolutely fulfilled that intention and way more. Hopefully, it would introduce Styrene to a brand new period of rebels.

For knowledge on the upcoming U.S. screenings of ‘Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché,’ co-directed by Celeste Bell and Paul Sng, click on on proper right here.