New Go-Go’s Documentary Directed By Alison Ellwood In The Works

A new feature documentary about the iconic, groundbreaking band The Go-Go’s is set to be related through Polygram Entertainment later in 2019. Entitled simply The Go-Go’s, the new film is directed by Alison Ellwood (History of The Eagles, American Jihad) while Corey Russell and Trevor Birney produce.

As the first multi-platinum-selling, all-female band to play their own instruments, write their own songs and have a No. 1 album, The Go-Go’s are the most successful female rock band of all time. Rooted in the LA punk scene, Charlotte Caffey (lead guitar, keyboards and vocals), Belinda Carlisle (lead vocals), Gina Schock (drums), Kathy Valentine (bass and vocals) and Jane Wiedlin (guitar & vocals) didn’t play the part of bad girls – they were genuine punk rockers.

The Go-Go’s rose to fame following the release of their 1981 debut album, Beauty And The Beat, a collection of infectious tracks with huge hooks. Locked at No. 1 on the Billboard charts for six consecutive weeks, Beauty and the Beat was one of the most successful debut albums of all time, featuring the hits ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’ (one of Rolling Stone’s ‘Top 100 Pop Singles’) and ‘We Got The Beat’ and resulted in a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. The Go-Go’s became a pop phenomenon, had a lot of fun and blazed brand-new trails — for the DIY ethic in general, and women in music in particular. Their meteoric ascent, however, was marred by band tension and drugs, fueled in part by their rapid rise to fame.

Underpinned by full access to The Go-Go’s, both past and present, this candid archive-rich biography assesses the group’s place in pop history and examines the personalities and dynamics behind their rise, fall and numerous reincarnations. Until this film, there has never been a serious appraisal of The Go-Go’s talents or achievements – as musicians, ground-breakers, but even more so, as survivors.

“We lived it and we survived it,” state The Go-Go’s. “Now, looking back on our history through this film, we can appreciate our journey, laughter, triumphs and struggles as a band. We hope this documentary will show the world what pioneers we were, and how our experience paved the way for other musicians.”

“I’ve always been a huge Go-Go’s fan,” adds Alison Ellwood. “When the band asked me to direct this film, I was thrilled. Like a lot of people, I thought of them as this wonderful, bubbly, all-girl pop band from LA. What I’ve discovered is a much more complex and deeper truth.”

“More than ever, this is the perfect time to celebrate the many barriers shattered by The Go-Go’s,” said David Blackman, Universal Music Group’s head of Film & Television Development and Production. “Their attitude, deceptively smart lyrics and pop rock hooks sound fresher than ever. We’re excited to partner with Alison Ellwood and the entire team to bring The Go-Go’s story to the screen.”

Format: UK English