One important thing to know about the documentary Girls Rock! is that it's far more about girls than it is about rock—or even about its supposed focus, The Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls in Portland, Oregon. And that's not entirely a bad thing.
In 2005, the documentary Rock School examined a Philadelphia after-school rock program and the school's enigmatic founder. 2007's The Hip Hop Project showed the power of art to change lives by focusing on the creator of a New York rap initiative, its music, and the industry.
Palace, age 7
But Girls Rock!, like Oregon's Rock Camp itself, uses both the setting and the music only to probe the difficulties of being a girl in a culture that over-sexualizes them, weakens them into conformity and forces them to apologize for being themselves. The movie is not about the week-long summer camp or even rock music at all. It's about four girls who represent the trials most young girls face. And while the objective is noble and largely pays off, it's also frustrating at times.
Really, the movie doesn't tell you much at all about The Rock 'n' Roll Camp. For instance, it's even hard to tell if it's a day camp or a residential camp (the website verifies that it's a day camp.) Plus, we barely get any camp history. An animated and fun—but frustratingly limited—history segment implies that the women behind the camp were inspired by strong '90s indie rock chicks (including PJ Harvey, Riot Grrl, and Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon). They want to impart that empowerment and strength to "future heroines" damaged by a post-Britney pop culture that views female performers as mere sex tarts. Any more camp details are left out.
Amelia, age 8
What is clear, however, is the camp's mission—and that's obviously the filmmakers' intent. As one counselor explains, music is just the vehicle to reach girls with what counselors wish they could've had as girls—a place where it's OK to be yourself, to be loud, and to make mistakes. You don't have to be small and timid. You don't need to apologize for feeling a certain way. You are loved here. You are affirmed. It's unacceptable to say you "can't" at Rock Camp—because you can. Here, girls are taught how to treat other girls. They are empowered, not shamed. Girls are given the opportunity to talk about their experiences with self-hatred, stress, insecurity, and expectations of culture. "I'm only 14," one girl says, "I shouldn't have to be told by everyone what I should be or look like."
The film's male directors, Shane King and Arne Johnson, learned of the camp by hearing Carrie Brownstein (of iconic indie band Sleater-Kinney) talk publicly about her rewarding work as a camp counselor. When the directors inquired, the camp didn't want attention. In fact, the directors had to prove they weren't interested in turning the camp into an American Idol-like breeding ground for young musicians. Once they did, they discovered the camp was, as they've said, "about so much more than kids with guitars."
And so, King and Johnson focused their movie on four girls at the 2005 summer camp. Here, along with about 100 other girls, they picked out instruments (usually for the first time), formed bands, wrote songs and performed a weekend show for more than 700 people. All in five days. Through these four girls, the audience sees both the hurt that the camp tries to root out and the transformative power of a week spent rocking. Perhaps the film's greatest treasure is that the two relatively inexperienced filmmakers lucked out with their choice of stars.
Laura, age 15
Palace, 7, seems at first like a together 40-year-old businesswoman trapped in a tiny body. But her sweet and calculated appearance masks rebel hostility. Take for instance the dichotomy between two of her songs. One is about her brother with Down syndrome: "My brother was meant to be, meant to be, meant to be … free." But the other is about the business trips she takes with her mom: "San Francisco sucks sometimes. Go to hell on the Golden Gate Bridge."
Misty, 17, describes herself as "lost little puppy" trying to find her way back after a meth addiction. She's never played the bass before, but enters rock camp determined to find a place to belong—and not to fall prey to old habits of giving up and running away.
Amelia, 8, lives inside her own imagination to escape the reality of being different and feeling hated by everyone. She says that if she could only live in the body of a classmate who hates her, everyone would start liking her.
Laura, 15, is an adopted Korean extrovert who loves death metal and skips into camp happily. But over the camp's five days, Laura reveals her self-hatred and need for validation. In the end, she finally admits, "I've been waiting so long to admit I'm amazing."
Misty, age 17
In my role as managing editor for Christian teen magazine Ignite Your Faith and as a volunteer youth group counselor, I've had the opportunity to meet a lot of girls with the same pains, pressures and temptations as the stars of Girls Rock! No, not all teen girls are meth addicts or completely self-loathing. But, as I watched Girls Rock!, I thought of so many girls I've met who need a place like The Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls. A place where they belong. A place where they can be themselves. A place to release. A place where adults will listen and love on them. This is why church youth groups are so important. And this is why Girls Rock! will touch a nerve with a lot of viewers.
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It's not a perfect documentary. A lot is left out. It goes more for the heartstrings than analysis. And the eventual concert isn't quite as emotive as I'd hoped—despite many mentions of how most live audiences bawl their eyes out every year. But still, Girls Rock! is inspiring and a very worthy see for parents, youth workers or teen girls.
Early in the movie, a counselor notes any particular might never again touch the instrument she learned at camp. But if she leaves thinking just a little better about herself, "that girl will still be a camp success story." The same goes with this documentary. No matter what, Girls Rock! is a success story because of the earnest heart with which it introduces us to some girls who don't realize how much they really do rock.
This film is in limited release. To find a of theaters, go to the official website.
Talk About It
Discussion starters
Which of the girls in the movie do you most relate to—either now or when you were young? Why? What themes, quotes or ideas most stick with you? Which girls change in the course of the camp and how?
What friends or young girls do you know who most need to hear and see the movie's messages about self-esteem? How can you affirm or encourage them?
What was your impression of the camp? Would you send your daughter? Why or why not? What do these women do exceptionally well? What didn't seem so strong to you? How should church youth groups/Christian education be like this for young girls? How different?
Laura says, "I've been waiting so long to admit I'm amazing." Why is it hard to say that? Do you think you're amazing? Why or why not? Read 1 Peter 3:3-4, Ephesians 2:10 and Psalm 139:1-18. What do these verses say about you?
The Family Corner
For parents to consider
Girls Rock! is rated PG for thematic elements and language. Other than less than five swear words (some of which sound like maybe they were censored out), the film is clean. There are uncomfortable moments as young girls fight or talk frankly about drug use and self-hatred.
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