Starring: Théodore Pellerin, Félix Maritaud, Alice Moreault, Anne-Marie Cadieux
Director: Sophie Dupuis
Country: Canada
UK Distributor: Dekkoo
Simon (Pellerin - Franklin, Boy Erased) is an emerging drag performer at a popular nightspot in Montreal. Known as Glory Gore, her status as the ingenue is challenged by the arrival of Oliver/La Dragona (Maritaud - Sauvage, 120BPM), an edgy and fresh new queen who takes the club by storm. Instead of seeing each other as rivals, they team up to become a double act and become involved romantically too. But as Simon navigates a difficult reunion with his mother after fifteen years apart, he is surprised when he finds himself on the wrong side of his new boyfriend’s volatile personality and temper.
Pellerin gives a superb performance, with all the poise and grace of an experienced drag queen, performing with style and originality. Meanwhile Maritaud is magnificent opposite, with the French darling of Queer cinema resplendent in a wig and heels. And while we get a fabulous glimpse of Montreal’s drag scene, it’s these two actors that give all that pizzazz a distinctly human face.
The relationship between the two sits at the heart of the film, with Simon an empathetic every-queen and Oliver a controlling antagonist counterpoint. The subplot about his mother does give some colour to the story, but you can’t help wishing the film had a more singular focus, as the drag sequences really are that good. And casting a drag queen as an unsympathetic role is actually something I’ve not seen before!
Perfectly capturing the sparkle of drag, this is a starkly realistic film. It crafts flawed characters and places them in this glamorous world while resisting its tendency toward exaggeration. This may be a story we’ve seen before, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it translated into a kai kai!
UK Release: Out now to stream on Dekkoo, released by Music Box Films.
Kommentare