Chrissie Hynde Discusses New Pretenders Documentary at TIFF
A new documentary directed by Joss Crowley chronicles the Pretenders' early years, including their acclaimed debut album and the turmoil that followed. Hynde, who has often avoided the spotlight, said she only ever wanted to be in a band. The film premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The documentary, directed by Joss Crowley, focuses on the Pretenders’ original lineup and their first five years, from Hynde’s Akron roots to the band’s early U.K. formation. It covers their landmark 1980 debut and the subsequent upheaval, including band dismissals and deaths, while also touching on Hynde’s present-day career. Hynde agreed to participate after a decade of Crowley’s persistence, setting ground rules that the film would rely on archival footage and center on the band’s story rather than her personal narrative or “women in rock” themes. She noted that an unauthorized documentary had already been made, prompting her to finally cooperate.
This documentary could reshape public perception of the Pretenders by offering an authorized, definitive account of their turbulent early years, potentially drawing new listeners to their catalog. For longtime fans, it may deepen appreciation of the band’s legacy and Hynde’s reluctant icon status. The film’s Toronto premiere could also influence how future music docs approach reluctant subjects, showing that patience and respect for an artist’s boundaries can yield compelling results.