Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy’s spring spin-off, Season Film Festival, is held as a nationwide online film festival 5.–9.5.2021. Depending on the up-to-date Covid-19 restrictions in early May, additional special screenings will be held in cinemas in Helsinki. 

As per usual, Season Film Festival introduces the crème de la crème of the new crop of independent cinema from around the world. POLY STYRENE: I AM A CLICHÉ is an inspiring documentary of the first woman of colour in the UK to front a successful rock band. Born in London as the daughter of a Somali-father and a white Brit-mother, Poly Styrene fought against misogyny and racism with blunt punk rock and fierce style. Styrene sang about rebellion, identity and consumerism as the lead singer of X-Ray Spex in 1970s Britain and served as a trailblazer for both the birth of Afropunk and the feminist riot grrrl movement.

The story of the multitalented yet mentally fragile Poly Styrene is narrated by her daughter Celeste Bell and actor Ruth Negga, who are both devoted carriers of the star’s versatile cultural and artistic legacy.  Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna as well as the fabled fashion designer Vivienne Westwood name the punk rock icon as their idol.

The 9th Season Film Festival is a shining light at the end of the tunnel for the culture-hungry filmgoers online, and if possible, in Helsinki’s cinemas from Wednesday to Sunday, 5.–9.5.2021. The entire programme will be published and ticket sales begin on Thursday 22.4. Season Film Festival is organised by Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy association.