Bad Reputation

Description

Joan Jett has been called the Godmother of Punk, a fitting name for the kick-ass frontwoman of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, who has been playing guitar since the age of 14. With archival footage, candid interviews from Joan and others, including Iggy Pop, Blondie, and longtime collaborator and songwriting partner Kenny Laguna, Bad Reputation details Jett’s uncompromising life as a musical legend and activist, who champions fellow female musicians and still loves to rock.  

“If there’s any rocker who doesn’t require much image rehabilitation at this point, it’s the nearly universally loved Jett. Bad Reputation is really part of a victory lap, coming on the heels of not just that biopic about her seminal all-girl band, but also her 2015 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. That’s not to say the new doc feels unnecessary: As producer Carianne Brinkman says, ‘It’s wonderful that the Runaways’ story was told, but I didn’t think we were done telling a story about Joan Jett. I think it’s a really important story, especially for young girls to see, and also young boys.’ The goal may be a tip-off that the movie’s story is less about decadence than, in Jett’s mind, ‘perseverance.’” – Chris Willman, Variety 

“Bad Reputation is a celebration of a pure rock ‘n’ roll soul. Joan Jett is an icon not because of the music she made, but what she represented as a woman with her agency in the rock business. Opinionated, assertive, and a talent on guitar, it’s about time we celebrate the Godmother of Punk Rock.” – Joi Childs, Blackgirls.net

Film Details