The film, which premiered in January at the Sundance Film Festival, was directed by Kevin Kerslake and written by Joel Marcus.

 

'Bad Reputation' is described as "a look at the life of Joan Jett, from her early years as the founder of THE RUNAWAYS and first meeting with [manager/producer] Kenny Laguna in 1980 to her enduring presence in pop culture as a rock 'n' roll pioneer."

 

Documentary synopsis: "Joan Jett is so much more than 'I Love Rock 'N' Roll'. It's true, she became mega-famous from the number-one hit, and that fame intensified with the music video's endless play on MTV. But that staple of popularity can't properly define a musician. Jett put her hard work in long before the fame, ripping it up onstage as the backbone of the hard-rock legends THE RUNAWAYS, influencing many musicians — both her cohort of punk rockers and generations of younger bands — with her no-bullshit style.

 

"'Bad Reputation' gives you a wild ride as Jett and her close friends tell you how it really was in the burgeoning '70s punk scene, and their interviews are laced with amazing archival footage. The theme is clear: even though people tried to define Jett and keep her stuck to one hit, she never compromised. She will kick your ass, and you'll love her all the more for it."

 

'Bad Reputation' was solely financed by music company BMG, whose executive Justus Haerder said: "We are incredibly excited and proud [of 'Bad Reputation']. Joan Jett is an American icon and Kevin Kerslake has created a superb documentary which really captures her story."

 

In 2015, Joan and her longtime backing band THE BLACKHEARTS were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

 

Photo courtesy of Sundance Film Festival