Jimmy Somerville: Queer Rebel of British Pop

The story

With his soaring falsetto and magnetic yet understated stage presence, Jimmy Somerville burst onto the 1980s new wave scene, making the world dance to songs rooted in struggle and resilience. From the harsh realities of Glasgow’s working-class neighborhoods to the challenges of growing up gay in a hostile world, and the devastating impact of the AIDS crisis, Somerville transformed pain into anthems of freedom. First with Bronski Beat, then The Communards, and later as a solo artist, he became both rebel and diva—the unmistakable voice of a generation fighting for equality. Through intimate stories from those who have stood by him for four decades, this portrait reveals a rare artist who has never wavered in his convictions.

Cast

J Jimmy SomervilleSelf (archive footage) F Félix MaritaudNarrator (voice over) S Sarah-Jane MorrisSelf : Friend & Singer J June Miles-KingstonSelf : Friend & Singer R Richard ColesSelf : Friend, Musician & Anglican priest D Didier LestradeSelf : Friend & Activist-Journalist M Mark AshtonSelf (archive footage) B Bibhu BhattacharyaSelf C Colin Stewart BellSelf O Otis CoulterSelf H Hugues OzoufSelf T Tom RasmussenSelf

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L Laurie BelgraveSelf H Heïko BollmannSelf D Dan GlassSelf F Franck Sainte-MartineSelf T TawiahSelf