The story of Mia Zapata has been well-documented over the last 15 years. The Gits frontwoman's 1993 rape and murder and the subsequent investigation into her death have been a matter of national discourse, both in the punk community and outside its borders. But where THE GITS succeeds as a moving entry into the recollection of this tragedy is by placing the context of Zapata's story squarely within the tale of the Gits, and the Seattle scene from which they sprang, just on the cusp of the ubiquitous grunge explosion. THE GITS is a film not so much about the too-soon passing of a would-be post-feminist icon (the murder and investigation account for a relatively brief segment of the film), but about a kind, soulful, and fiercely talented woman who formed a unique bond with other wandering creative souls­­band members Matt Dresdner, Andrew Kessler and Steve Moriarty, as well as kindred spirits 7 Year Bitch, among other area groups--only to have those bonds torn apart by one senseless, random act of violence. Moreover, through interviews with bandmates, friends, and relatives (especially heart-wrenching insight from her inspiring father), a portrait of humanity bleeds through the visceral veneer of punk angst that often reductively epitomizes that place and time.

When the movie does turn its focus toward the investigation, an unexpected epilogue unfolds that even the filmmakers hadn't anticipated. As production was ready to wrap, DNA evidence led to Zapata's killer in early 2003, and his resulting trial and conviction gets played out for the cameras, adding the sort of dramatic closure that Hollywood generally manufactures to cheapen a story. But in THE GITS, this resolution serves as a remarkably resonant catharsis for the viewer. And more importantly, it provides a vicarious sense of relief for all the participants in the film, whose pain was as difficult to absorb as the Gits' music (displayed front and center through numerous, full-length video clips) was invigorating to experience.

DVD Features:

Region 0
NTSC
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital 2.0 - English
Additional Release Material:
Deleted Scenes
Trailers
Featurette: HOME ALIVE FEATURETTE
Audio Commentary:
1. Kerri O'Kane, Director
2. Jessica Bender, Producer
Text/Photo Galleries:
Stills Gallery
TRACKS:
1. INTRODUCTION
2. GREAT AMERICAN BAND
3. BAND FORMATION
4. SEATTLE
5. FRIENDS
6. MIA
7. DRIVING
8. PLAYING AROUND
9. EUROPE
10. FANCY RESTAURANT
11. REGULAR NIGHT
12. FRIENDS & FANS
13. TOUGH CASE
14. FUND RAISER
15. LYRICS
16. HOME ALIVE
17. THEIR INFLUENCE
18. WE GOT HIM

Distributor Notes: In the early 1990s, Seattle was the focal point of an emerging musical
underground. The Gits helped spearhead this new scene. Their sound was
proto-grunge and all-out punk aggression. The earnest, blues wail of front woman
Mia Zapata was its center.

Mia was the very embodiment of riot grrrl intensity, talent, and humanity.

Her uncompromised integrity epitomized a way of life that influenced
an entire generation of female artists to follow.

Upon returning from a successful European tour -and at the height of The Gits' popularity singer Mia Zapata was found raped and murdered, unfairly abbreviating
the band's fable. Incredibly, more than a decade later, new evidence would surface, Mia's case file would be reopened, and a suspect
would be brought to justice-as cameras rolled.

The Gits is an account of overcoming adversity, addiction, love, loss and pain.
It's a punk rock mystery, but not merely a tale of tragedy.

It's the mythic story of a great American Rock N Roll band.

Source: Alternative Distribution Alliance

Kerri O'Kane: Director

Jessica Bender: Producer