Crass: The Sound of Free Speech

Crass were an art collective and punk band that formed in Essex in 1977, and disbanded in 1984. They promoted anarchism and a movement of resistance that awakened and appealed to many. They inspired many bands and artists such as The Levellers and Charlatans’ singer Tim Burgess, and seem to be more relevant now than ever.

This is the tale of Crass’ ‘Reality Asylum’, the story and the inspiration behind the 7-inch single from Spivey’s point of view through interviews with Crass co-founders Steve Ignorant and Penny Rimbaud, and Small Wonder record label owner Pete Stennett.

The film doesn’t beat around the bush and highlights what it means to be artists in the midst of a movement of anarchists no longer biting their tongue to protest against the few. Spivey also tells the broader story, expanding on the narrative of anarchism and a broken system. Through open-hearted interviews he touches upon subjects such as assaults carried out by the church, Magdalene Laundries in Ireland, the biggest war that threatens humanity; class war, and of course what it was like to be a punk band in the 70s and the 80s.

Made with the blessing of Crass members, it dives into 1970s Britain; the birth of punk and the formation of Crass, with an in-depth look at their art, music and ethos, plus its impact on those who were trying to make sense of a brutal hostile society they had no place in.

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