This is a documentary about...well I want to say drag queens but it's really about more than that. It focuses on the drag culture in lower class NYC. Most of the men hustle for money during the day then at night participate in elaborate drag balls.
These balls are insanely competitive with everyone competing for trophies and more importantly respect. They band together into "houses" and it's basically gang warefare played out on the runway floor. Things really get fierce when the vogueing begins. The dance that Madonna brought to the world was originated and perfected by drag queens. What I realized about the dressing up is that for a lot of them it has as much to do with social status and elevation in class as it does with looking like a woman.
There is an element of sadness to it and tragedy does strike near the end when one of the younger ones is murdered. While there is sadness there it also says a lot about chasing your dreams and finding a place to fit in the world. These are mostly poor black or hispanic men whose families have at best disowned them. They went out into the world and found a home.
There are a couple of people in this I will never forget. Venus Xtravaganza and Dorian Corey in particular. Venus comes off as being full of dreams of fame and hope for the future while Dorian is older and realizes it probably isn't going to happen for him. It's a great movie and a peek into a world that is closed off to most people. Check it out.
Rating-4 Brains |
