The shade of it all – Top 5 Drag Films
The Cockettes documents this highly influential and wildly creative drag troupe who began performing in the 1970s in San Francisco. You can’t get many more glowing reviews that The Cockettes receives. In his review for Film Threat, Chris Gore states: ‘It’s one of the few times that I have witnessed an eruption of applause from an audience consisting solely of jaded press people. That never happens.’ / View full image
‘Life’s a Drag’ is a riotous celebration of drag in cinema. Come and join us for the sequins and the shade in the free film program at the Australian Cinémathèque, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) starting Friday 23 October and slaying it until Sunday 22 November 2020. Here’s my Top 5 to whet your appetite.
The Cockettes 2002 documents this highly influential and wildly creative drag troupe who began performing in the 1970s in San Francisco. You can’t get many more glowing reviews that The Cockettes receives. In his review for Film Threat, Chris Gore states: ‘It’s one of the few times that I have witnessed an eruption of applause from an audience consisting solely of jaded press people. That never happens.’
No drag program would be complete without Divine. John Waters’ twisted cult film Pink Flamingos 1972 is essential and filthy viewing, and who could forget Divine’s 1984 hit ‘You Think You’re a Man’ .
Production still from Pink Flamingos 1972 featuring Divine / Director: John Waters / Image courtesy: Roadshow Entertainment / View full image
Decades ahead of its time and recently restored in 2013, Viktor und Viktoria (Victor and Victoria) 1933 is a gender bending comedy from Germany. Made at the beginning of Hitler’s rise to power, the film is anti–authoritarian, charming and cheeky. It inspired the 1982 Blake Edwards’ remake Victor/Victoria 1982 with Julie Andrews also screening in the program.
The thong dress, ping pong balls and a bus with a giant stiletto streaming across the Australian landscape — The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert 1994 is an Australian masterpiece and a must-see on the big screen.
A heart-warming, joyous and surprisingly wholesome doco about four kids and their loving, supportive parents who believe self–expression is key to a good life. Drag Kids 2019 is a whole lot of fun.
Rosie Hays, Australian Cinémathèque, QAGOMA
1. The Cockettes
The Cockettes 2002 / Director: Bill Weber, David Weissman
2. Pink Flamingos (John Waters introduces the film’s trailer)
Pink Flamingos 1972 / Director: John Waters
3. Viktor und Viktoria
Production still from Viktor und Viktoria 1933 / Director: Reinhold Schünzel / Image courtesy: Murnau Stiftung
Victor/Victoria
Production still from Victor/Victoria 1982 / Director: Blake Edwards / Image courtesy: Roadshow Entertainment
4. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert 1994 / Director: Stephen Elliott
5. Drag Kids
Drag Kids 2019 / Director: Megan Wennberg
Special Mention: Paris is Burning
Paris is Burning 1990 / Director: Jennie Livingston
Feature image: Production still from The Cockettes 2002 / Director: Bill Weber, David Weissman / Image courtesy: David Weissman Films