Bronski Beat’s “Why” Celebrates 40 Years And A New Film Is Released
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Groundbreaking UK gay pop band from the ’80s, Bronski Beat, and London Records have released a 40th anniversary of the band’s gay anthem, Why?, along with a new documentary film directed by Matt Lambert. The documentary tells a story of resilience, power, community and solidarity using Bronski Beat’s Why as its thematic spark. The short film honours those who have spoken up and put themselves on the line for LGBTQIA+ civil right, with those those on the frontlines often being the most at risk.
The video is age restricted and only watchable in YouTube, WATCH HERE.
Bronski Beat’s Why?, was the follow-up to their groundbreaking debut hit Smalltown Boy, and railed against homophobic violence. Opening with a cry, the sound of breaking glass and the defiant lyrics: “Contempt in your eyes as I turn to kiss his lips…” Why? was unmistakably gay, and angry, in both its intent and sensibility.
The original 1984 music video commissioned for the song, however, never truly aligned with the song’s (and the band’s) intentions. Forty years later, singer Jimmy Somerville wanted to change this.
“Jimmy wanted to commission me to make a project that spoke to the climate of LGBTQIA+ rights today,” explains director, Matt Lambert. “I ended up exploring archives from past and present, material from my phone and friends — self-shot material from the community — which became a documentary short film.”
With a tapestry of material from protests, news reports of violence toward the LGBTQIA+ community, and self-shot material, Lambert presents voices from across the queer spectrum as well as those who mock, dehumanise, fear and hate the community. While the film makes for unflinching viewing, it’s also balanced with moments of spirited joy and passionate resilience as the community hits the streets in solidarity as a family.
Upon its release in 1984, Jimmy Somerville told Record Mirror that Why? was “about constantly having to fight for love because that’s what we have to do, to try to change the law, people’s attitudes. It’s a constant fight for your right to love and that’s a right everybody should have – to love who they want.”
Forty years later Jimmy adds: “I never thought a song that we wrote in 1984 would resonate even more powerfully in 2024.”
“It was such a dream to look into the past and future with Jimmy,” says Matt. “This project was born out of an ongoing dialogue about the past and our ongoing responsibilities to protect what we’ve fought so hard for.”
Bronski Beat’s album, The Age Of Consent (40th Anniversary Editions) is released through London Records on deluxe 4CD/DVD, 2CD and 2LP available here.
About Bronski Beat
The influence of UK ’80s pop trio Bronski Beat cannot be understated. Against the repressive backdrop of Margaret Thatcher’s Britain, they made a massive contribution to LGBTQIA+ visibility and acceptance in mainstream media, carried huge musical influence in pop circles, and displayed a sense of social conscience and generosity well beyond their own community and towards anyone who faced discrimination, prejudice, and societal rejection.
About Matt Lambert
Matt Lambert is a Berlin-based filmmaker, visual artist, and creative director working across film, documentary, music video, and live performance. Much of his prolific body of work aims to present queer and under-represented narratives that are less told.
In 2022, he co-directed Eldorado: Everything The Nazis Hate (Netflix) — a docu-drama that tells the erased histories of queer Berlin 1926-1933. He is currently developing a fictional feature film set in the same era.
About Stonewall
Stonewall is the UK’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi, and trans equality, working to create a world where every lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer person is free to be themselves – wherever they are.
It was founded in 1989 by a small group of people who wanted to break down barriers to equality. Stonewall continues to campaign on LGBTQIA+ equality, as well as work with employers to create environments which allow LGBTQ+ people to thrive.
The charity is currently campaigning for the Government to take urgent action to improve its approach to addressing LGBTQ+ hate, via its Hold My Hand Campaign on LGBTQIA+ safety. Find out more at: www.stonewall.org.uk
