Jane Mingay

Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story

From outcast to ska icon

The Selecter’s lead singer, the Original Rude Girl, Pauline Black, tells the story of her life. She grew up as a Black child in a white adoptive family, facing racism from an early age, before escaping into Coventry’s 2-Tone music scene. That journey set her on the path of self-discovery toward becoming the iconic star she is today.

The film offers a look back at Pauline Black’s career spanning more than 40 years. The Selecter was one of the biggest 2-Tone bands of the late ’70s and ’80s, blending ska, reggae, and punk while challenging the status quo by confronting sexism and racism in Thatcher’s Britain.

The band has enjoyed several comebacks over the decades, releasing their latest album, Human Algebra, in 2023. During quieter periods, Pauline worked as an actress, but music has always called her back. No wonder why: music gave her a voice and the courage to use it, shaping her into a living legend and a role model who stands up against injustice and abuse.

Trailer