Over twenty years after the release of the iconic electroclash album, Peaches still has plenty to teach us, this rousing document proves. Portrait of a feminist icon and queer warrior.

During the tour with which Peaches, proclaimed in the media as “the grandmother of electroclash,” is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the iconic album The Teaches of Peaches, she enters the stage from behind a walker with squeaky wheels. She also has a huge vulgar hat on her head and thick tit slippers on her feet. The grotesque costumes, which contrast with her dirty electro beats, add a cheerful exclamation point to the explicit lyrics celebrating sexual freedom in all its forms.

Drawing on interviews, a treasure trove of archival footage and rousing live performances, it outlines how Canada's Merrill Nisker grew from kindergarten teacher to feminist icon, queer warrior and all-around shit-taker. We see her as a twenty-something fooling around with roommate Feist, her “Berlin underground fairytale” with Chilly Gonzales, with whom she formed the duo The Shit, and the creation of the studio record that changed her life, featuring cult classics like “Fuck the Pain Away” and “AA XXX”.A comprehensive and candid look at Peaches' motivations, the hard work behind the scenes and plenty of explosive, explicit stage shows.

With introduction Saturday, Nov. 23, 9:45 p.m.

With introduction by Nienke Westerhuis, co-programmer at the International Filmfestival Assen (IFA: Presents). 

International Film festival Assen (IFA) | Woman & Film celebrates female filmmakers & solidifies their position in the film industry, shows new perspectives and breaks stereotypical sex and gender roles. The 45th edition of IFA will take place from 6 till 9 March 2025.