Click On Image To View Site

I first met Zillah Minx from Rubella Ballet in the mid eighties in Birmingham and eventually put her band 'Rubella Ballet' on in Telford in the late eighties. After losing touch with Zillah and Sid for nigh on two decades we were re-aquainted when I put Rubella Ballet on in Margate in september of this year. On hearing Zillah was making a film about women in punk I had to run an interview with her and this is what she had to say.

Street Voice: First off what made you decide to do a film on women in Punk Rock?

I decided to make a film because I got a chance to borrow a video camera. As soon as i got it I thought I should interview people I knew. Most of them are punks so I decide to make a film about punk women and our history from 1975.

Street Voice: Zillah is this your own project or a shared one with other people?

I have been making this film on my own mainly. I was later able to use facilities at Spectacle, made the poll tax riot films on channel 4. Mark the owner of Spectacle and Sid have helped me with filming and editing. Eventually when I was working I bought all the equipment to make the film at home.

Street Voice: How did the women you interviewed feel about the film? Were they all positive? Or did some have negative thoughts too?

The women who did the interview where quite positive but they had some negative statements on punk to state. The women who would not do the interviews were obviously negative.

Street Voice: Was it hard to track down some of the women that you interviewed?

Yes. I think it was only because I have been a punk since 1976 and in a punk band I knew so many punks who helped me.





Street Voice: Will She's A Punk Rocker be released on general release or will it just be shown at certain times?

I dont know this is the first film I have made. I am not experienced in what to do. I have approached a few distributors and I have screened the film at the Raindance film festival on October 3rd 2007.

Street Voice: Have many independent film companies like Cherry Red shown an interest in the film?

No. They want me to film more famous punk women. They also want the film to be more mainstream with a narrator etc.

Street Voice: You've got your first screening on the 31st October so you looking forward to it?

Sorry it was the 3rd October at Raindance film festival. We were very nervous due to it being our first film shown in a cinema. We were worried about technical difficulties . The content of the film I was happy with. The screening was fantastic with a massive turn out for the audience. They loved the film and stayed for the Q & A session.

Street Voice: Are there any other showings of the film in the not too distant future and if so where?

Not yet.

Street Voice: Anything you'd like to add?

I made this film because there was a need to show people what punk is about for us. I had no funding or help from any body except the punk women interviewed who gave me their interviews and archive for free.

Thanks to Zillah for taking time out to do this interview. If you want to see this film then keep on visiting the She's A Punk Rocker site for viewing details. Knowing Zillah this is going to be one quality film so don't be a fool and miss out!