Channel Surfing: Pussy Riot - A Punk Prayer

Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.

There was a question that came to me while watching Pussy Riot - A Punk Prayer: can music still change the world? Can it revolutionize the way that we perceive our boundaries and force a change? It is hard to imagine this when looking at the modern crop of musicians. Compared to protest songs for Vietnam in the 60's, majority of modern music is contempt with simply entertaining. This doesn't mean that there's a lack of protest songs, just music that doesn't change anything or get coverage. In a sense, in order to make a difference, one has to be radical.

Nothing seems more radical than a feminist punk band in Russia. While punk rock has existed for decades notably in England and America as a way of rebelling against standards, Russia is a different story. They have had numerous tragedies and government changes that have made progress somewhat of a complicated matter. Religion is very key to the general population. Also, the notable villain in the documentary, Vladimir Putin, still reigns over with power that some would disagree with.

Those people included the punk collective known as Pussy Riot. Throughout A Punk Prayer, they explore the band's origins and creation as a response to Putin. Interviewing the band, family members and supporters, this not only serves as a look into the formation of a band, but the trial that chooses to question what is art. In February of 2012, they put on a performance at a major church to protest their belief that under Putin, there was no separation of church and state. After their arrest, the video went viral:

As can easily be perceived, this did not go over well. The satirical move of mixing church behavior with aggressive lyrics that stated "Church praises the rotten dictators." Wearing bright balaclavas, this wasn't their first well known protest, but on a global scale, they almost became an overnight sensation in terms of musicians unfairly trialed as criminals for something that was raised the question on what free speech was. 

The women who finally were revealed were Maria Alyokhina, Yekaterina Samutsevich, and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova: all young women in their early 20's who came from broken homes and were motivated to politics through different methods. Brought together to perform protests, they were more known for energy. Still, after the performance went viral, they had the backs of performers like Madonna and Yoko Ono as well as numerous other officials. The cause was now spread. Pussy Riot was on a global scale.

What is fascinating about A Punk Prayer is how it explores Russian politics as being too regressive towards women. At numerous points, the very name Pussy Riot is debated as being offensive because of pussy's connotation with vagina. In clips displaying Russian diplomat's interviews with foreign press, they seem squeamish at the word and the very idea that people were charged as hooligans were somehow shaking everything up. Thousands came out to protest and the government reacted in kind. Pussy Riot made their case and did so with dignity.

At under 90 minutes, this HBO documentary is a fascinating, well informed look into a trial that more than anything chooses to question what freedom of speech is and how music can still make a difference. It could be seen as subjective to paint these people in the right, but it is still appalling to imagine that a case labeled as hooliganism has created such a fiasco. At very least, this paints them as revolutionaries who at a very young age, have done more to advance society than most other Russians had. In a way, it seems noble.

While this isn't a definitive documentary on the three, this is a look at the case as it stands. Unfortunately, two of them are still in jail and fighting for their freedom. It seems ridiculous the more that they try to repeal, but their choice to keep fighting the good fight almost makes them an important part of history, even if their band's name has to be censored in classroom textbooks. Still, in a very short time, they have placed themselves in Russia's historical significance. Whether or not it will make a difference is yet to be seen. However, as the film suggests, people are already trying to keep the spirit alive, and that is almost heartwarming enough.

Even if it is bogus to hear religious figures spewing hate at these people for simply dancing on the altar, the world view has been set. These people have been shown in their true colors. Whether or not you believe that what they did was right or wrong, you'll be amazed that they got so much attention. It is amazing that it took this long for a punk band to become noteworthy from Russia, but it has happened, and just like with the US/UK explosion in the 70's, it is only a matter of time before the pinnacle is reached. Even if the music is debatable in quality, there's no denying that music made a difference, and maybe it will lead to far more interesting aspects, like more freedom for women.

A Punk Prayer is currently available on HBO Go and occasionally airs at varying points. For anyone who has heard about the trial and wants to know more, this is a great way to start. It doesn't get sentimental. It presents the facts and the important moments to life. At very least, it will answer the question that you have on how music plays a role in society. In America, it may not seem all that significant. But sometimes, a simple protest is all it takes to make a difference. And for that, I root on Pussy Riot and hope that they eventually win the long term goal.