Punk Politics

Coming from a political household, Alison Walker’s life changed when she first heard punk music at 13 years old. The sound shaped her, leading her to London to explore her identity, find community, and resist the politics of 1980s Thatcherism.

Coming full circle to today’s social and political climate, can music still fuel our fight? Or is England still dreaming? 

‘Punk Politics’ is a short documentary about the height of the 80’s Punk Scene in London, wider situated within Margaret Thatcher’s harsh political climate.

Our film explores the complicated relationships of politics, societal tension, community, music, and its intrinsic value to identity. Taking a slightly expository yet poetic style, Punk Politics treats Alison’s journey as the songs that make up the album of Alison's life. Through the changing of records on a turntable, we come in and out of archive footage and images of the punk subculture, the political, and the personal. Exploring the depths of Alison’s complicated relationship with her political family metaphorically resembles the ever-complicated relationship between society, culture, and politics. A poignant film that highlights the resurgence of issues and tensions in today’s social and political landscape.

Director/Cinematography:

Sián Ganobcsik-Williams | sgano001@gold.ac.uk

Producer

Kaan Cakir | kcaki001@gold.ac.uk

Primary Editor/Sound

Kate Johnston | katejohnston49@gmail.com | https://vimeo.com/user135126674