When you think of Canadian punk rock, one name instantly comes to mind: Bif Naked. The 2025 documentary Bif Naked offers fans an intimate, unfiltered look at the life of the multi-platinum artist, revealing the highs, lows, and raw truths behind her legendary career.
From her early years, born Beth Torbert in India and adopted by American missionaries, to surviving sexual assault, health battles, and the challenges of breaking into a male-dominated music industry, Bif’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. “I’m elated. I’m excited. It’s humbling,” she says of the documentary, which features archival footage, interviews, and moments she herself had never seen before.
For anyone curious about the woman behind the music, this film is a celebration of resilience, authenticity, and the punk rock spirit that has defined her life and career.
Who is Bif Naked?
Bif Naked, born Beth Torbert in 1971 in India, is more than just a Canadian punk rock icon; she’s a survivor, an activist, and a storyteller whose music reflects her life. Adopted by American missionaries, she grew up in Winnipeg, navigating the challenges of teen boarding school, running away from home, and enduring experiences of trauma.
Her entry into music wasn’t planned. “It clicked right away,” Bif recalls about her first stage performance with the Chocolate Bunnies from Hell in Winnipeg, a moment that gave her the validation she needed to pursue a career in music. From there, she carved her path in a male-dominated industry, facing skepticism from record labels that balked at the idea of a tattooed woman on the radio.
Bif’s life hasn’t been without struggle. She survived sexual assault as a teenager, battled cancer, endured strokes and kidney failure, and navigated the ups and downs of personal relationships. Yet, through it all, she remained authentic. Her blunt, unfiltered lyricism touches on deeply personal subjects, allowing fans to connect with her story.
Making of the Documentary
The 2025 documentary Bif Naked is the brainchild of director and writer Pollyanna Hardwicke-Brown, who, along with producers Adam Scorgie, Yas Taalat, and executive producers including Jhod Cardinal and Rod Gregory, set out to create an intimate portrait of the punk rock icon.
Cinematographer Chase Gardiner and editors Hardwicke-Brown, Graeme Fellows, and Kevin Morstad helped bring Bif’s story to life, while music contributions from Bif herself and Daryl Bennett added authenticity to the soundtrack.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the film is its rare archival footage, some of which Bif had never seen. “Their ability to find all of this archival footage, they’re like detectives… I always marvel at it, because when I started working and touring, we didn’t have computers, we didn’t have cell phones,” Bif says. This detective work unearthed clips from her earliest performances, offering a nostalgic and sometimes surreal glimpse into her journey from fledgling punk rocker to multi-platinum artist.
The documentary also features interviews with Bif, her family, and friends, capturing emotional, humorous, and thought-provoking moments. From her reflections on adoption and meeting her birth mother to stories about navigating the music industry, the film balances raw vulnerability with Bif’s characteristic wit and punk spirit.
The end result is a deeply personal, immersive look into a life defined by resilience, creativity, and an unrelenting drive to tell her own story, on her terms.
Life, Music, and Triumph
Bif Naked’s journey from a runaway teenager to a Canadian punk rock icon is nothing short of extraordinary. Her music became a vessel for her experiences, transforming personal hardships into powerful, relatable art. “I was going to write about every single thing because I felt a responsibility to young fans,” Bif says, explaining her commitment to transparency in her lyrics.
Her entry into the music industry was as accidental as it was fateful. She first stepped on stage to fit in with the world of her future husband and Gorilla Gorilla bandmate, drummer Brett Carruthers. “It clicked right away… They were in the audience that night, chanting my name, just to let everyone know, ‘Go get ’em, kiddo.’ That was so validating for me,” she recalls, describing the moment that ignited her passion for performing.
Navigating the industry brought its own challenges. Many record labels doubted a tattooed woman could succeed on the radio, and Bif often found herself fighting for recognition. Alongside longtime manager Peter Karroll, she eventually co-founded Her Royal Majesty’s Records, becoming one of the first women to own her own label. “The truth was, plain and simple, it was just out of necessity!” she says.
Bif’s personal life has been equally intense, marked by sexual assault, health battles, including breast cancer, strokes, and kidney failure, and personal heartbreak. Reflecting on her grade-eight assault, she says, “They couldn’t take back what they did, and they have to go through the rest of their life knowing that they did that.” These experiences, while painful, became central to her creative expression, shaping the songs that fans have connected with for decades.
Today, Bif continues to perform with the same energy she brought to the stage decades ago. “I can’t stop having fun, and that’s the bottom line,” she says, celebrating the longevity of her career and her enduring love for music.
Key Figures and Influences
Behind every icon is a network of supporters, mentors, and collaborators, and for Bif Naked, these figures played a crucial role in her journey. One of the most significant is Peter Karroll, her longtime manager and mentor. Bif credits him with being a constant anchor. “He saved me by the skin of my teeth many times, to say the least,” she says, emphasizing both his professional guidance and personal support.
Family and friends also provide an intimate window into Bif’s life, offering perspectives on her resilience, authenticity, and fierce independence. Interviews with her birth mother, for example, capture the emotional complexity of adoption and reunion, while longtime collaborators reflect on her relentless energy and uncompromising artistic vision.
Bif’s influence extends beyond those closest to her. Her punk ethos, rooted in self-expression, defiance, and authenticity, has left a lasting mark on the Canadian music scene. By turning her life experiences into unfiltered, raw, and meaningful songs, she has become a voice for the underrepresented and an inspiration to countless fans.
Premiere and Special Screenings
The documentary Bif Naked made its world premiere on September 18, 2025, at the Calgary International Film Festival, where fans and critics got a first look at the intimate portrayal of the punk rock icon. The event featured a red carpet, a post-screening Q&A with Bif herself, and a live performance that brought the energy of her stage presence straight to the audience.
Following Calgary, a Toronto screening is planned for November 12, 2025, offering fans an immersive experience with a full documentary screening, a live acoustic set, and another chance to interact with Bif during a Q&A.
Themes and Takeaways
At its core, Bif Naked is more than a documentary about music; it’s a story of resilience, authenticity, and self-expression. The film also highlights the punk rock ethos that has guided her career: independence, fearlessness, and living life on her own terms.
Bif never shied away from speaking her truth or challenging industry norms. By co-founding Her Royal Majesty’s Records, she not only created her own platform but also set an example for women in music, proving that perseverance and self-belief can break barriers.
Another recurring theme is forgiveness and perspective. Her ability to process hardship without bitterness informs both her lyrics and her outlook on life, creating a deeply relatable and inspiring narrative.
Ultimately, the documentary celebrates a life lived authentically, with all its highs, lows, and unfiltered moments. Bif Naked’s story is not just about surviving; it’s about thriving, making art from experience, and leaving a lasting mark on music and culture.
Wrapping Up
Bif Naked is a celebration of a life lived boldly, authentically, and unapologetically. From her early days as a runaway teen to becoming a Canadian punk rock icon, Bif’s journey is filled with triumph, resilience, and raw honesty.
(Quotes featured in this post are from calgaryherald.com and readrange.com)