Following the film, Directors Celeste Bell and Paul Sng&nbsp;will be in conversation with Love Music Hate Racism activist and musician&nbsp;Yemi Bolatiwa&nbsp;

“Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard…” Poly Styrene was the first woman of colour in the UK to front a successful rock band. She introduced the world to a new sound of rebellion, using her unconventional voice to sing about identity,&nbsp;consumerism, postmodernism, and everything she saw unfolding in late 1970s Britain, with a rare prescience. As the front woman of X-Ray Spex, the Anglo-Somali punk musician was also a key inspiration for the riot grrrl and Afropunk movements. But the late punk maverick didn’t just leave behind an immense cultural footprint. She was survived by a daughter, Celeste Bell, who became the unwitting guardian of her mother’s legacy and her mother’s demons. Misogyny, racism, and mental illness plagued Poly’s life, while their lasting trauma scarred Celeste’s childhood and the pair’s relationship. The documentary is brave in its exploration of mental illness, looking at the damage done by misdiagnosis and acknowledging Poly's manic depression as an aspect of her character which was ultimately best managed by changing her lifestyle, enabling her to balance the support she needed without stifling her creative energy. It looks at the spiritual community where she found this support and challenges the one size fits all approach that pushes mentally ill artists towards social conformity. Celeste Bell's own reflections on growing up in a Hare Krishna community add depth to this. The latter part of the film, which deals with the relationship - both personal and creative - which mother and daughter built as adults, adds real warmth to what could so easily have been seen as a tragic story. Featuring unseen archive material and rare diary entries narrated by Oscar-nominee Ruth Negga, this documentary follows Celeste as she examines her mother’s unopened artistic archive and traverses three continents to better understand Poly the icon and Poly the mother. “… as compelling, mysterious, moving and inspiring as Poly’s own pop art.” - Stephen Troussé, UNCUT&nbsp; “I really can’t praise this highly enough… A big thumbs up.” - Mark Kermode, BBC Radio 5 Live ‘Kermode &amp; Mayo “Bringing an intimacy and tenderness to the rock documentary format.” - Wendy Ide, Screen Daily “With a focus throughout on Poly's achievements as a writer, the film makes room for her to speak for herself as much as possible: to be heard, not just seen… Few female artists receive this kind of treatment. It's a refreshing and continually engaging piece of work.” - Jennie Kermode, Eye For Film

Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliche

Directors Celeste Bell and Paul Sng&nbsp;will be in conversation with Love Music Hate Racism activist and musician&nbsp;Yemi Bolatiwa&nbsp;

Q & A W/ Celeste Bell & Paul Sng (Polystyrene: I Am a Cliche)

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliche W/ Filmed Q & A With Celeste Bell & Paul Sng

Virtual Admission

Foyle Intercultural & Anti-racism Festival 2021

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The entirety of the festival programme will be available to view online from home (29th March - 25th April). Browse the full programme and book now -  limited tickets available.

Foyle Film Intercultural & Anti-Racism Festival marks its 15th year with an expanded virtual programme of films and special cinema-related events tackling a wide range of topics pertaining to all forms of discrimination, prejudice, human rights abuses, inequality, and environmental challenges.

Here's what's coming up soon. Can't make it? No sweat. Many live streams will be available for on-demand viewing as well.