Rock Chicks - Filming road trip in the US underway

Filming in the United States is underway for the documentary about the important but often forgotten role of women in Rock’n’Roll.

The vocals are throaty and rough, a hard beat and a distinct offbeat are added to the constantly repeated riff: rock'n'roll is considered the original form of rock music and was an expression of the search for ways out of the societal constraints of the time by an increasingly enlightened and self-confident youth.

Developed in the 1950s, rock'n'roll became wilder, louder, and more aggressive over the years. Little do people know that many women contributed to the rise of the new genre and their roles were much more important than generally assumed. Some of them were well-known at home and abroad, such as Ruth Brown. The label Atlantic Records, with which she had signed a record deal, was (so it is rumored) only able to exist because of her.

The history of women in rock'n'roll remains virtually untold. Particularly many black female performers have long been forgotten, in part because the way women have contributed to rock is less evident than their male counterparts. Many women married at the age of 20 and gave up stage and tour life for a house and children. Nevertheless, there were women who remained devoted to music. For example, it was only recently that Wanda Jackson – at over 80 – bid the stage farewell.

The film team is currently in the USA, on a road trip through the USA in search of the rock pioneers of the past and their unwritten stories.

Rock Chicks
A film about wild years, about breaking conventions, and reaching for the stars
by Marita Stocker
length: 80/60 minutes

Production Company Accentus Music GmbH
Co-Production Company ZDF/Arte
Executive Producer Paul Smaczny
Director Marita Stocker
Director of Photography Mitja Hagelüken
Audio recorded and mixed by Christoph Wonneberger