Quendrith Johnson

by Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent

Who doesn’t love a little riot grrrl to kick off this hellish Pandemic Spring of 2020? That raised a smile, hopefully, and once-popstar Kate Nash’s own true(ish) film story will do the same. Because right now, this musician’s gritty comeback from near-homelessness to doc star through the freedom she reclaimed with her art is one narrative everyone in lockdown can use as a personal pick-me-up. Kate Nash at 18 was a wunderkind turned into a musical ATM “worked like a donkey” by TPTB (the powers that be) in the recording industry… until she wouldn’t play their tune anymore. ALAMO ON DEMAND has you dialed in for KATE NASH: UNDERESTIMATE THE GIRL on their streaming platform this May, read on…

KATE NASH: UNDERESTIMATE THE GIRL tells the story of pop wunderkind Kate Nash gone punk as she tries to take back control of her career. The documentary will be released nationally on Friday May 22 via the groundbreaking virtual cinema platform ALAMO ON DEMAND. Following the Saturday, May 23 6:00 PST / 9:00 EST there will be an interactive performance and Q&A with Kate Nash. The exclusive release will then hit a limited traditional theatrical rollout in August.

What’s the Story, Morning Glory?

At 18, Kate Nash reached the stratosphere of pop music, vaulting from a working-class family in North London into worldwide tours, a platinum record, and a season dominating the music charts. Right from the start, she is unafraid to speak her mind--in an industry where honesty is not rewarded.

Fast forward to ten years later: Kate is breaking down, nearly homeless. Defrauded by her manager, she is forced to take odd jobs--like hosting a QVC show in a comic bookstore--and must sell off her clothes. After hitting bottom, she rises out of the darkness by crowd-funding her third album, using the uplifting power of online culture and her own authentic voice. She pursues acting as another form of artistic expression (and way of making a living) and lands a part on the TV series GLOW as Britannica.  From pop wonder, to riot grrrl, to TV wrestling queen, Kate's journey is an inspiring call to the creative heart in all of us: be fearless.  

 Blending performance footage with verité style sequences, the documentary is both a no-punches-pulled look at an artist in flux who manages to come out on top, and at an industry that proves its own gender bias at every opportunity. The film is structured around songs and lyrics, as they are written and performed by Kate Nash, to tell its unfolding story. 

KATE NASH: UNDERESTIMATE THE GIRL is directed by Amy Goldstein and distributed by Nerdbombers and Span Productions. It has a running time of 89 minutes and will not be rated by the MPAA. 

LIVE PERFORMANCE AND Q&A WITH PLATINUM ARTIST KATE NASH A.K.A. BRITANNICA ON GLOW FOLLOWING 6:00 PM PST/ 9:00 PM EST SCREENING ON SATURDAY MAY 23.

KATE NASH: UNDERESTIMATE THE GIRL has played to sold-out crowds at film festivals around the world, including IDFA, DOC NYC and Sheffield Doc/Fest. It was previously released in the UK on the BBC Three as part of theStoryville strand that brings provocative films to broad audiences.

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