We Are The Shaggs

We Are The Shaggs

The Shaggs are a band that defy description - formed by three New Hampshire sisters in the mid-1960s at the insistence of their controlling father to fulfil a psychic prophesy. Championed by Kurt Cobain, Patti Smith and Frank Zappa, now the Wiggins sisters tell their unlikely story in their own words.

Director

Ken Kwapis

Runtime

98 Minutes

Country

United States

Classification

Unclassified 15+

The Shaggs are a band that defy description - formed by three New Hampshire sisters in the mid-1960s at the insistence of their controlling father to fulfil a psychic prophesy, despite the sisters’ lack of musical training or interest. Once heard, The Shaggs will never be forgotten, their music resembling a transmission from another planet. Misunderstood by most who heard them, beloved by some prominent champions (including Kurt Cobain, Patti Smith and Frank Zappa), now the Wiggins sisters tell their unlikely story in their own words, from the early days of the group through to their dissolution in the 1970s and their eventual cult rediscovery. Featuring music from the Ramones, Bikini Kill and Teenage Jesus and the Jerks.

“This charming doc sees them for who they really and were, pushing past the ‘outsider art’ label to arrive at something much more dignified, personal and, ultimately, moving.”

Deadline

“The two surviving sisters don’t seem like the types to want to be considered feminist heroines, but Kwapis’ lovely film is able to capture them as some of the most improbable icons in rock history …”

Variety

SXSW

Melbourne

Film Credits

Director

Ken Kwapis

Country

United States

Language

English

Type

Feature Documentary

Program Strand

Music on Film

Producer

Reynolds Anderson & Jeremy Seifert

Writer

Ken Kwapis

Cinematographer

Jeremy Seifert

Editor

Emily O’Brien

Genre

Documentary, Music & Women

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