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SXSW Film Festival 2023: QUEENDOM

SXSW Film Festival 2023: QUEENDOM

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SXSW Film Festival 2023: QUEENDOM

It’s that time of the year again, and as expected, the 2023 South by Southwest Film Festival has a lot to deliver. And my first film was of no exception. Agniia Galdanova‘s Queendom is a vital and poignant documentary. While it follows the art and activism of Gena Marvin, it transcends borders, speaking to the hearts and hopes of many around the world. It is as raw as it is pure, showcasing the art of activism and the power of drag within the resilient and unrelenting spirit of Gena.

A Knight in Armor

Queendom falls to the backdrop of Russian fascism, many times in the “old way” behaviors of those surrounding Gena. As the film opens, we are immediately introduced to Gena, in full dress and moving to craft her own photo shoot. There is an early sense created in her ability to see art and to bring it to life using her body, her fashion, and her surroundings as her canvas. As she directs her friend, critiquing the perfect shot, Queendom moves them from the tranquility and pureness of the white snow to the harsh reality of small-town living.

SXSW Film Festival 2023: QUEENDOM
source: SXSW

The hate is quiet at first, people staring at Gena as she walks through the store in the same outfit she had sported for her shoot. First commanding the sense of self, as well as breathing and living her art, Queendom quickly escalates to aggression. First asked to leave the store as her outfit is deemed inappropriate, to a woman yelling hate from her the window of her home leading up to the moment we see Gena find shelter after being assaulted. It is immediately raw in emotion, firmly establishing its medium with its audience.

As the boonies are more unforgiving than the city, Gena moves to Moscow to attend the Lock of Hair Beauty Academy. For most of the film thus far we have been spectators, watching Gena and the responses of those around her. After reaching Moscow, Gena speaks for herself, delivering the person behind the entity. “Whenever I go out in character, I am on top of the world. No one, not even Russia, can scare me. I’m like a knight in armor.” Where the first portion of the film has briefly introduced us to Gena, these words deliver the framework for Queendom, and the unrelenting spirit behind every decision Gena has made and will make going forward.

Artistic Protest

As the film progresses forward, what really stands out is Gena’s quiet nature in her artistic protest. After hearing about an assault on individuals in drag in Moscow, Gena decides to walk the city in her outfits, making sure to appear in the areas where the attacks had happened earlier on. She does not speak. She does not start up conversations. She is the conversation. Her presence alone is a catalyst for the reaction. Derogatory remarks are thrown her way and she is prohibited from entering a park hosting a paratrooper event – all because her “overtly provocative and destructive appearance can lead to incidents out of nowhere”. It is not only her outfits and performances that demand your attention but the reactions of those around her as well.

SXSW Film Festival 2023: QUEENDOM
source: SXSW

The force of Gena as an entity grows as Queendom progresses. Gena does not lose herself within her persona but is instead empowered by it. As one of Gena’s friends mentions to her before heading out to protest, Drag is political, striving for attention through exaggeration. “All important issues deserve attention”. In an essence, Drag is not just political, Drag is freedom. It is an art form that captures the fighting spirit of those who not only fight for themselves but for others – for what they know is right. As we watch Gena walking into the middle of the protest to Free Alexai Navalney, there is no fear, only a resolved confidence of belief.

Moments of protest within the film are shown both in solitary and in groups, capturing Gena’s resigned beliefs no matter the audience. As Russian invades Ukraine this sense of protest increases, leading to the catalyst that will change Gena’s Life forever.

Conclusion:

Queendom is a beautiful film of pain, emotion, expression, and resilience. It reaches its deepest moments of vulnerability as the camera holds on Gena. Emotions are purest here as they feel real and authentic. The film does begin to interweave more of a staged aspect of expression. And while unsure of its inclusion initially, it becomes the truest form of capturing Gena’s inner conflict and pain. These moments are gorgeous displays of emotion and of the inner self, and truly reflect the artistic spirit of Gena.

It is impossible not to become emotionally invested in Gena’s story. I would be lying if I didn’t admit there were times I found myself holding my breath in anticipation of what was to come. And with the events of the world as of late, it hits even harder. Queendom thus far is one of the best documentaries of the year. Poignant and raw, Queendom is posed to be one of the best documentaries of 2023.

Queendom premiered at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival on March 11, 2023!


Watch Queendom

 

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