Since it’s LGBT History Month, it’s time to study up on one of the most important aspects of LGBT society: drag culture. If you haven’t already, here are eight films you need to watch to understand the profound impact they’ve had on drag queens today.
Paris Is Burning (1990)
This iconic documentary explores the ballroom culture of New York City in the 80s, and it’s one of the most important LGBTQIA movies out there. Frequently referenced in RuPaul’s Drag Race, it’s a film that features the African-American, Latino, gay and transgender communities that populated the scene and is named after Paris Dupree’s annual ball.
Even if you haven’t watched it, you’re bound to recognise some of the language used. “Category is…”, “realness”, “shade” and “reading” are frequently used in everyday contemporary language now, and did you know that Paris Is Burning is where the dance move “voguing” came from?
The Queen (1968)
Another documentary chronicling another arena of drag is this pioneering movie narrated by Flawless Sabrina and following all the queens participating in the 1967 Miss All-America Camp Beauty Contest. There’s a lot of transgender discussion in this film, and indeed it stars the legendary drag star and trans woman Crystal LaBeija.
The House of LaBeija also made appearances in Paris Is Burning, and indeed The Queen is frequently compared to the 1990 cult hit.
Kiki (2016)
Set 25 years after Paris Is Burning, Kiki is a documentary all about LGBTQIA people of colour in the drag and ballroom scene against the backdrop of Black Lives Matter, and modern discussions surrounding trans rights and HIV/AIDS activism. Written by Sara Jordenö and Twiggy Pucci Garçon, the film stars trans model and activist Gia Love.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Probably one of the most famous cult drag films ever released, this music comedy/horror stars Tim Curry as a highly-sexed, murderous, alien transvestite mad scientist named Dr. Frank-N-Furter who builds himself a man named Rocky and, alongside his servants Riff Raff and Magenta, torments a naive couple who enter his castle after losing their way in a storm.
Written by Jim Sharman and Richard O’Brien, the film was later turned into a stage production that continues to run to this day, and sees its audience frequently dress up in lingerie.
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
Another movie that has since turned into a stage show (though admittedly less popular) is this Australian comedy which follows two drag queens and a trans woman (played by Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce and Terence Stamp respectively) on a road trip through the Australian Outback from Sydney to Alice Springs in a tour bus they’ve named “Priscilla”.
It won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design, and explores the dichotomy of attitudes between the rural folk; those with backward, homophobic views and those who accept them as true artists.
Pink Flamingos (1972)
Not one for the faint-hearted, John Waters’ Pink Flamingos is probably the most famous movie starring drag queen Divine. She has pride in being “the filthiest person alive”, and the movie takes that sentiment to the ultimate extremes with scenes including rape, voyeurism and a crush fetish involving a chicken; cannibalism and emasculation; and the eating of dog faeces.
We’re gonna be honest; there’s a lot morally and just plain wrong with this movie. But it’s an iconic piece of drag history and Divine - 34 years after her death - remains one of the most famous queens in the world.
Kinky Boots (2005)
Now a major Tony Award-winning Broadway show, Kinky Boots was originally a British movie starring Joel Edgerton as Charlie Price who attempts to save the family’s shoe business by focussing on a niche market: drag queens. Determined to create shoes to hold more weight and fit larger feet with the help of drag artist Lola (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Charlie Price faces a lot of backlash with his new designs.
Kinky Boots was a modest little Brit film before Broadway took hold, and while the plot may be a simple one, the message of inclusion and representation remains relevant and important.
MORE: Seven queer figures that shaped history
The Birdcage (1996)
Based on the 1973 French stage musical and 1978 movie La Cage aux Folles, The Birdcage is a wonderful comedy starring Robin Williams about a pair of drag club owners who are forced by their son to pretend to be straight for the day for the benefit his fiancee’s conservative parents. Woven into the camp comedy and hilarious schemes are touching messages of the important of not judging other people’s lifestyles and what it means to be family.
