The Gits

i got to see this at the sxsw film festival. it was both wonderful and sad to be introduced to the songs of the Gits and Mia Zapata considering the tragedy surrounding her story. this documentary communicates her passion and lack of artifice and it was great the realness with which everyone involved spoke about her, their lack of pretension, and how much she meant to them. it is good to know that the organization Home Alive was founded as a result of her random, violent death. the filmmaker has an obvious sense of purpose in communicating the life of this singer that many of us were not aware of while she was alive.

Although ostensibly about The Gits, this documentary is really a tribute to the punk/grunge band's lead vocalist Mia Zapata who died at the hands of a sicko who snatched her off a Seattle street, beating, raping and strangling her at the age of 27.

It includes archive footage of the lady herself, and emotional tributes from band members and others who knew her, including especially her father, who twelve years later was still mourning the daughter who would almost certainly have gone on to achieve if not greatness then to cement her fame as one of the voices of her generation.

There is not too much focus on the crime itself, but it is nice to know that although it took over a decade, the man who snuffed out this young life so wantonly was finally brought to book.

Zapata's music will not be to everybody's taste, but there is no denying either her raw talent nor the love she inspired in all those who rubbed shoulders with her on Seattle's punk music scene.

On Christmas day, my husband and I saw this very touching film via Netflix after seeing the TV show, "Forensic Files", about Mia Zapata and her Seattle band, The Gits. What really struck us both about this documentary was its pure honesty and simplicity without relying on "fancy" or computer generated story telling. It was raw and pure while also fantastic in its genuine storytelling and emotional build up. It appeared that this was a documentary that was shot on film(I don't know for sure but the quality is so good that it appears that way)and as a true film lover, I personally loved the look of it. Above all, however, I loved this emotional story as told by those who loved Mia Zapata and The Gits. This did not look like some low budget indie, but rather a quality documentary where there was time and patience put into the cinematography, the editing, the sound and the actual storytelling itself. I am not, nor is my husband, into the punk rock music thing....but we both felt moved by the music and by this tragic loss of this young woman who was on the verge of doing so much more. This is not a story of drugs and debauchery, but one of loss, despair, hope, community and life itself. Very touching, we will never forget about Mia Zapata and The Gits.

I met you both in Austin during the SXSW Festival. I had to meet you guys after the screening as it was an extremely powerful film that has stayed with me over the years. I continue to go to the festival every year and have yet to see a documentary as moving and poignant as "The Gits". The emotional testimony from Mia's father and the account of the community's response to this tragedy is haunting. This is a film with so much heart and truly genuine. Congratulations on your success. Mia Zapata will forever be remembered for her soul and intensity as well as the music that she and The Gits made thanks to the two of you. Mia would be proud and honored. Thank you again.