Watch L7: Pretend We're Dead

L7: Pretend We're Dead is a 2016 documentary film about the pioneering all-female punk rock band L7. The film delves into the band's formation and rise to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s, exploring their contribution to the grunge and riot grrrl movements of the era. The film features interviews with the band's founding members, Donita Sparks and Suzi Gardner, as well as drummer Demetra Plakas and bassist Jennifer Finch. The documentary uses archival footage and live performances to showcase L7's energetic and unapologetically feminist music, as well as their impact on the larger cultural landscape of the time.

L7: Pretend We're Dead is particularly interested in the relationship between the band and their fans, featuring interviews with a number of dedicated L7 enthusiasts. The film explores the significance of L7's music to these fans, particularly in terms of its representation of female rage and resistance against patriarchal structures.

The documentary also touches on some of the challenges L7 faced as women in the male-dominated music industry. The band members discuss instances of sexism and harassment they experienced, including a notorious incident in which Sparks removed her menstrual cup and threw it at a heckling crowd member during a concert.

Throughout L7: Pretend We're Dead, the band members reflect on their legacy and the impact they continue to have on contemporary punk rock and feminist music movements. The film makes a case for L7's enduring relevance, arguing that their music and their message are as vital today as they were when the band first emerged.

Overall, L7: Pretend We're Dead is a lively and engaging documentary that offers a compelling window into the world of one of the most important and influential punk rock bands of the past three decades. Whether you're a die-hard L7 fan or simply interested in the history of punk and feminist music, this film is not to be missed.

L7: Pretend We're Dead is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.