A Pussy Riot book and movie are on the way
A protest in a Moscow cathedral catapulted the Russian protest group/punk band Pussy Riot into headlines last year, and two of their members, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, charged and imprisoned for two years on religiously aggravated hooliganism charges. The international out-cry over the court’s harsh sentencing and disregard for freedom of expression has been resolute and there has been further controversy around the treatment of the incarcerated members – with Tolokonnikova denied parole last month and Alyokhina taken to hospital yesterday after a hunger strike following allegations of unfair treatment by guards and fellow prisoners.
A new book ‘Let’s Start a Pussy Riot’ was created in collaboration with Pussy Riot and explains the events around the group’s arrest and the causes they have been fighting for since they were set up in 2011. Further contributions on the subjects of feminism, LGBT rights, freedom of speech and the environment will also be offered by fellow musicians like Antony Hegarty, Kim Gordon, Robyn, intellectuals like Judy Chicago and politicians like the Mayor of Reykjavík Jón Gnarr. The book is curated by Emely Neu , edited by Jade French and will launch at this year’s Meltdown Festival on June 14. It’s available to pre-order now from here. All profits will go directly to Pussy Riot.
HBO are also screening the television premiere of the documentary ‘Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer’ on the 10th June, following the six month arrest and trial process and featuring exclusive interviews with the group’s members. A trailer is embedded below.
