EXCLUSIVE: Giant Pictures has acquired worldwide distribution rights to documentary feature Pretty Ugly: The Story of the Lunachicks about the influential underground New York punk band.
The deal was brokered by Concord Originals, the film and TV division of L.A.-based music and theatre company Concord, which financed and produced the film.
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The music documentary, chronicling the seminal, feminist NYC punk band Lunachicks, is directed and produced by New York-based filmmaker Ilya Chaiken, whose directing credits include the Sundance and TIFF title Margarita Happy Hour and Kino Lorber’s Liberty Kid.
The movie made its World Premiere at DOC NYC and will be released theatrically in the U.S. and on all major streaming platforms by Giant Pictures in early 2026.
“The Lunachicks’ story is long overdue. Chaiken’s documentary captures their electrifying energy and groundbreaking journey with such heart and power. Giant Pictures is proud to bring this film to audiences across the world and for fans– old and new– to experience the wild ride.” said Madeleine Schumacher, Director of Distribution for Giant Pictures.
New York-based independent distributor’s recent releases include Sundance 2024 title Luther: Never Too Much, as well as the Oscar-nominated documentary A House Made of Splinters. The company also operates specialty labels Drafthouse Films and Tribeca Films.
“We are thrilled to partner with Giant Pictures to unleash Ilya’s first feature documentary – a loud, funny, and unapologetic portrait of the Lunachicks, whose boldness has inspired generations,” said Wesley Adams, VP Production & Distribution for Concord Originals.
Chaiken’s film follows Lunachick band members Gina, Theo, Squid, and Sindi as they reflect on their crusade for equality and are propelled towards a spectacular 20-year reunion.
In the process it captures the legacy of these unsung super-heroines of the 1990s independent rock world and forces of nature who inspired generations of young women with their music, Spinal Tap-like antics, and uncensored defiance of the sexist status quo.
Some 30 years after their teenage debut, the band comes together to write their memoir ‘Fallopian Rhapsody’. Interweaving contemporary vérité footage shot over eight years with archival video and a candy colored palette of photos, art, and music, the feature documentary brings the band’s history to life along with their triumphant and poignant journey back to the stage.
“As young women in the 1990s, watching the Lunachicks onstage was like seeing the fiercest, most invincible version of ourselves. Their story will resonate with a wide audience beyond just punk rock fans. I am so excited to be partnering with Giant to bring this long-awaited story to the screen and to a whole new generation of fans.” said Chaiken.
The film is executive produced by Storyville Films’ Betsy West and Julie Cohen (directors and producers of the Academy Award-nominated RBG and Amazon’s Peabody Award-winning My Name is Pauli Murray); Concord Originals’ Sophia Dilley, Wesley Adams, Charles Hopkins and Bob Valentine, with Concord Originals’ Quíle Gomez serving as associate producer; and Larry Fessenden of Glass Eye Pix.
This film’s release comes at a dynamic time for the Lunachicks who are again reuniting for a series of shows on both coasts.
On September 27, the band played CBGB Festival in Brooklyn, NY featuring Iggy Pop, Jack White, Johnny Marr and The Damned, followed by a concert on October 3 in Los Angeles with L7 as part of L7’s 40th Anniversary Bash.
The deal for Pretty Ugly: The Story of the Lunachicks was negotiated by Madeleine Schumacher, Director of Distribution, for Giant Pictures and Wesley Adams, VP, Production & Distribution, and Sophia Dilley, EVP, for Concord Originals.
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