Described by one writer as a cross between a 60s earth mother and a Hell's Angels biker chick, indie filmmaker Allison Anders weathered a rough childhood and young adult life that not only encouraged an escapist penchant for making up characters but also an insider's sympathy for the strong but put-upon women who have peopled her films. Abandoned by her father at age five, sexually abused by a number of different men while growing up and gang-raped at the age of 12, she eventually retreated into a fantasy relationship with "dead Paul" (McCartney), a flight of fancy which helped get her
Raised in Kentucky until father left family when Anders was five; mother moved her around a great deal thereafter
1967
Was gang-raped at age 12 (date approximate)
1970
Family settled in Los Angeles when Anders was 15; stepfather at one point pulled a gun on her (date approximate)
1970
Was placed in a mental hospital in Los Angeles at age 15 because of suicidal feelings and a retreat into a fantasy world; depression exacerbated by, among other things, the widely circulated rumors of the death of her favorite Beatle, Paul McCartney
1972
Dropped out of high school at age 17; headed back to Kentucky by bus to live with other relatives (date approximate)
