Bronski Beat - Why? (40th Anniversary Doc Short)

PRETTYBIRD filmmaker Matt Lambert, together with Bronski Beat and London Records, announce the release of the new short documentary film ‘Why?’ (40th Anniversary Doc Short). The film is a reimagining of Bronski Beat’s enduring LGBTQ+ anthem ‘Why?’, originally released in 1984. Using personal and archival footage, Lambert crafts a powerful story of resilience, community, and solidarity to pay tribute to those who speak up and put themselves on the line for the sake of love - those on the frontlines often being the most at risk. 

WATCH THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY DOC SHORT HERE

Bronski Beat’s ‘Why?’, the follow-up to their groundbreaking debut ‘Smalltown Boy’, was known for rallying against homophobic violence. Opening with a cry, the sound of breaking glass and the defiant proclamation “Contempt in his eyes as I turn to kiss his lips…”, ‘Why?’ was unmistakably gay, and angry, in both its intent and driven 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 LGBTQ+ rights today,” explains 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. We had access to Bronski Beat's original stems to sculpt the timeless and still timely score to this film.”

With a tapestry of rarely seen archival material from protests, news reports of violence toward the LGBTQ+ 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 Queer community hits the streets in solidarity as a family. 

Within the LGBTQ+ community, Lambert’s new film also functions as a tool for education. ‘Why?’ is a clarion call for action for emerging Queer youth to understand the history and struggle of their community, and for older generations to see that the fight for equality continues.

“It was such a dream to look into the past and future with Jimmy,” says Lambert. “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.”

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 Somerville adds: “I never thought a song that we wrote in 1984 would resonate even more powerfully in 2024.”

We are grateful to have the support of Stonewall UK in a final call to action at the end of the film, so viewers have a resource to go to for help, guidance, and more information on LGBTQ+ rights.