Release Date
Original Release
May 7, 2025
0h 52m
Jimmy Somerville: Queer Rebel of British Pop (2025)
Overview
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.
Director
Olivier Simonnet
Department: Directing
Cast
Jimmy Somerville
Self (Archive footage)
Sarah-Jane Morris
Self : Friend & Singer
June Miles-Kingston
Self : Friend & Singer
Richard Coles
Self : Friend, Musician & Anglican priest
Didier Lestrade
Self : Friend & Activist-Journalist
Genres
Production Companies
