A documentary examining the impact and ideology of Pussy Riot will debut on HBO on June 10, and the network giant has offered a peek at the upcoming film via the above trailer. Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer follows the arrest and trial of three members of the Russian feminist art-punk collective: Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, and Yekaterina Samutsevich. Though short, the teaser for the Sundance-honored feature promises “an exclusive look at the faces behind the masks and the trial that rocked a nation.”
But don’t pack up that pink balaclava just yet. As the Line of Best Fit notes, a new book titled Let’s Start a Pussy Riot will arrive on June 14 via Rough Trade as part of Yoko Ono’s Meltdown Festival in London. Created in collaboration with Pussy Riot, curated by Emely Neu, and edited by Jade French, the book includes contributions from Kim Gordon, Antony Hegarty, Robyn, Lucky Dragons, Coco Rosie, Bobby Conn, Billy Childish, and Jeffrey Lewis among others. It has been described as “an exploration of the concept of Future Feminism, asking how we can move forward and unite different voices and generations to create an inspiring dialogue.” All profits will go to Pussy Riot (via Pitchfork).
Meanwhile, imprisoned Riotress Alyokhina was hospitalized for low blood pressure earlier this week, says Consequence of Sound. The young woman went on a hunger strike last week after being refused the right to attend her own parole hearing. News of her protest prompted none other than Sir Paul McCartney to send Russian authorities a handwritten letter calling for justice on behalf of her and Tolokonnikova as well, both of whom are currently serving two-year jail sentences for performing the aforementioned “punk prayer” at a Moscow cathedral in February of 2012.
Despite the power-play from the former Beatle, Alyokhina was denied parole. What’s more, the Associated Press reported today (May 29) that Moscow’s highest court has rejected an appeal against the pair’s prison sentences. Pussy Riot lawyer Irina Khrunov reportedly told the AP that she plans to appeal to Russia’s supreme court.
