Hey folks, Harry here with another review from that fantastic film festival in Seattle... Here's a doc about a Seattle band that I haven't heard of quite yet, though oddly by publishing this review, I seem to be aware of them now... odd how that works. Well if you haven't got THE GITS get to reading...

I noticed some reviews trickling in from the Seattle Film Fest on your site, most of which have been movies making the rounds at other fests. I just got back from the world premiere of one you probably haven't heard of, but should.

"The Gits" is a documentary about a band near and dear to music lovers here in Seattle. Back in '93 when the grunge bands were getting all the press, The Gits were set for a big tour and stardom until the tragic rape & murder of their lead singer Mia Zapata. The band members subsequently broke up and went their separate ways, but still worked with the community and police to find the killer.

As far as music docs go, the movie is fairly well done. Its first segment doesn't touch the tragedy aspect that unfortunately plagued the band's legacy for over a decade. Instead it presents the scene at the time and the members (Steve Moriarty, Andy Kessler, Matt Dresdner and Zapata) through old photos and club footage, showing us their influences, who they inspired, how their music evolved.

Then the movie takes a turn that every fan knows is coming, and it's a dread moment. Friends and family talk about the night Zapata was murdered on her way home after leaving a local bar. The whole mood of the film shifts into a grim state. One disturbing moment comes when a friend recounts how in order to help the ensuing investigation, police told her and others to keep parts of Mia's death a secret, including her rape. Yet as profoundly fucked up the situation and everyone becomes, in the aftermath, Zapata's admirers still manage to raise $50,000 for a private investigation to search for the killer. Women in another band, 7 Year Bitch, found a self-defense center for women in her honor, which is still going today.

Now, I don't want to demean the film to diehard fans, but I want to mention that even if you've never heard of the Gits, you'll find this part extremely moving, especially, (and bear with me on this) if you're a "Buffy" fan. There is an emotional montage of photos and footage of Mia, just before they show her epitaph at the cemetary which is both touching and funny--definitely true to her spirit. I also defy audiences not to choke up when her father says in tears, "She was on loan to me, but now she belongs to all of you."

The last part of the film is unfortunately the aftermath that plods down the narrative, but an aftermath which had to be told: the capture and trial of the killer. For some the event brings closure and for others you can clearly see that althougth they're glad to have justice they also don't want to dredge up the past.

If there's any criticism to be had, it's that the film is a bit long and some stock footage and shots of Seattle are a tad cliche.

The Q&A afterwards had both the director and producer who said they hope to add a bit more footage to the film and get it a wider audience after the festival. Hopefully some coverage on your site may help out in that regard. The Gits movie is a great primer for people interested in the band, but also a great encore for their followers.

Thanks,

Mr. Reid