(Arne Johnson, Shane King, USA, 2007, 91 min.)
At Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp, girls ranging in age from eight to 18 are taught that it’s OK to sweat like a pig, scream like a banshee, wail on their instruments with complete and utter abandon, and that “it is 100% okay to be exactly who you are.” The girls have a week to select a band, an instrument they may have never played before, and write a song. In between, they are taught by indie rock chicks such as Carrie Brownstein from Sleater-Kinney various lessons of empowerment from self-defense to anger management. At the end of the week, all the bands perform a concert for over 700 people.
The film follows several campers: Laura, a Korean adoptee obsessed by death metal; Misty, who is emerging from a life of meth addiction, homelessness and gang activity; and Amelia, an eight-year-old who writes experimental rock songs about her dog Pipi. What happens to the girls as they are given a temporary reprieve from being sexualized, analyzed and pressured to conform is truly moving and revolutionary.
Following the film a discussion with a handful of esteemed women of music will commence.
Guests include: Kate Galloway, former owner of Vamp Booking, Melisa Rivière, manager of reggaeton sensation Maria Isa and owner of Emetrece productions, Rebecca Fisher, executive director of Women in Music, Rachel Lee Joyce, music publicist and DJ, legendary Babes in Toyland drummer Lori Barbero, band manager for Revolver Modele, Karrie Vrabel and Karen Gustafson, director of Girls Rock! Camp.
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