This was by the BBC at the height of the British punk movement. The band X-Ray Spex attracted attention for two rather unusual things in the male-dominated punk scene: the first was the band’s vocalist, Poly Styrene, who was very different from the testosterone-fuelled squallers of the usual punk bands, and the second was the use of a saxophone, a rather unusual instrument in a scene characterised by mostly amateurishly played guitars, bass and drums. The mid-length documentary focuses not only on Poly Styrene’s explosive stage presence (“I’m a poseur and I don’t care. I like to make people stare”), but also reveals, through very private interviews, a fascinating young artistic personality who undermines stereotypes of ethnicity, gender and identity in a very natural way. In terms
of content, Poly Styrene mainly dealt with capitalism, consumer behaviour and the oppression of women. This film is a gem and gives us the opportunity to see rare X-Ray Spex concert footage and to experience a very influential artist at a young age – one who is characterised by her authenticity and positive attitude, enriched with a good dose of social criticism and rebellion.

Karl Wratschko