Fanny: The Right to Rock

Written and Directed by Bobbi Jo Hart
Starring June Millington, Jean Millington, Alice de Buhr, Brie Darling, Patti Quatro
Runtime: 96 minutes
In Theaters on May 27th 

by Ashley Jane Davis, Staff Writer

“Music is the ultimate. It walks through walls!”

I cannot beLIEVE I had never heard of this band before. Scientifically speaking, 99% of the music I listen to is from 1975 and earlier. It’s a fact that Edgar Wright just puts my old iPod on shuffle for his flicks (note: this is NOT a fact). I’m not a casual music fan either, content with the basics. I am always on the hunt for my new (old) favourite band. One fine day last summer, I was innocently watching videos from old UK variety shows on YouTube and stumbled across this. WHAT?! Waitasecond. Who is this?? My mind was racing. “Who is…. How did they learn this before, like, online tabs… ooh that harmony… omg look at their gear… OMG the solo… ahhh, the drum fills after the solo…” I was just in love, instantly. All it took is hearing one cover song and I was hooked on this mystery band - FANNY!!

In Fanny: The Right to Rock, we are treated to seeing this truly amazing band under the spotlight. Filipina-American sisters, June and Jean Millington, were self-taught musicians growing up in California in the 1960s. They wanted to play music, so they just DID it. They grew from a little act playing in the backyard (to reportedly huge crowds) to becoming one of the first all-women bands to sign to a major record label. What a success! Well yeah, but… Remember, this is America. 

As the story of Fanny unfolds, it takes only moments to hit the first major roadblock on their road to success in the USA: racism. I can only imagine the extent of the racism and bigotry Jean, June, and Brie faced throughout their lives. The few stories told here hurt my heart. Then on top of that, we add sexism. “How does it feel to be a girl playing an instrument,” is the first question asked at every interview. But wait a second, there are lesbians in the band?? Better have them get boyfriends to stop folks from talking! The fact that racism, sexism, and homophobia are still everywhere is disgusting. But imagine facing all of this 50 years ago? Did they let these ugly judgments stop them? Hell no! 

I hope that you learn about the story of Fanny yourself by watching this documentary. There were twists that honestly made me gasp and cry (no fooling). But I would like to share a few of my favourite parts:

1. Learning about Fanny Hill – “a sorority with amps”. This is an incredible place where I too would like to live, and record music. I am currently looking for other musicians to join me, thank you.

2. Learning about Institute for the Musical Arts (IMA) – a non-profit teaching, recording, and performing institute that focuses on supporting women in music. The scenes where young girls are in a safe space making music together made me tear up. 

3. Their present-day rehearsals as Fanny Walked The Earth. The absolute BEST part of the film, for me. I truthfully have never seen women in their 70s play music like this before. I haven’t. I know it happens! But this is the first I have seen of it. The gear! The ideas! The rumble! As a female musician who is getting older by the second, it filled me with such hope and excitement. This could be me! 

The thing I love most about this documentary is that I believe it also shows what these women are like as individuals – not just what they are like as a band. We get to see their beautiful souls. There’s not a sense of resentment in the air, but one of determination and positivity – that not only can they continue doing what they love, but that other women facing the same obstacles can too. Beyond just speaking words of inspiration, they back it up with actions, by standing up and fighting for what they believe in. 

Yes, Fanny: The Right to Rock hits the predictable classic rock doc beats, including famous musician talking heads proudly declaring how they knew Fanny were great all along, but this time all the praise felt SO deserved. In other docs I have reviewed for MovieJawn, I always seem to nitpick about a random interview that makes me roll my eyes, but here I was like, “Yes, John Sebastian. You BETTER be complimentary to these amazing women. Quite right. Is that it?? Keep talkin’!” I found myself becoming so proud of and protective over them. 

This just feels so different than most of the other rock documentaries I have seen. No doubt, the love and care brought to the project by writer/director Bobbi Jo Hart has much to do with it. Women facilitating other women to tell their stories is a beautiful thing! The story doesn’t drift into the typical rock tropes of salacious rumours, overdoses, and jealous anger. Issues that the band faced along the way are discussed with honesty and a tender humility that is often lacking in this tough and unforgiving world. I found this film inspiring and a valuable watch, whether you are a fan of the band, or not. Give it a watch. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

*Note: Please enjoy my handpicked playlist to get you started!