Friday 6 March 2015

Foxfire (2012)

March Around The World 2015 Challenge - Canada

"So comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face
The Internationale unites the human race."

Raise the black, red or rainbow flag high comrades, 'cause here's Foxfire!

What could have been - the Riot grrrl movement shifted through time to the 1950's, fighting back against male entitlement. It would be nice to think things have changed but take a look at the posts, youtube and Facebook posts about, not just anti-feminism, but sexual abuse, harassment, everyday sexism and pretty much anywhere a woman has an opinion and you'll see that we're still stuck in the land of T-Birds and Pink Ladies.

It ain't particularly well made, the acting is a little all over the place and it's too long by a good 30 minutes, but it's energising and it's message is powerful. Take your life into your own hands. Fight back and make change happen. This is what I want, kids pissed off, fucking with the status quo and just, well, doing shit! Right on sisters and brothers and good on you Canada!

As well as the very obvious parallels with Riot Grrrl (try and catch the reference to the Kathleen Hanna / Courtney Love altercation) there are also allusions to the persecution of women during the witch trials, with a court room scene in particular, standing out.

A favourite moment: the tattoo session. where I could imagine piss taking, name calling and machismo from a bunch of boys the young women hug and help each other through the pain with no embarrassment or loss of status.

Girls to the front!

Original letterboxd review

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