33/28
Defying Russia’s anti-LGBTQ laws, a 21-year-old queer artist risks his life to perform in surreal costumes across Moscow. Jenna Marvin’s radical public performances blend art and activism in this SXSW documentary. I’m sure many will comment on the value of Agniia Galdanova’s excellent documentary about Russian queer drag artist Jenna/Gena Marvin (born Gennady Chebotarev), especially in light of the persecution of members of the LGBTQ+ community in Putin’s Russia. I can’t help but be impressed by the audacity of some of Gena’s protests, videos, and stunts – to her credit – but also by the vast network of stakeholders, many of whom fear for their personal safety. For me, though, ‘Queendom’ is also noteworthy. The film’s production credits are so minimal that it appears to have been shot almost entirely on a phone camera, either by Galdanova or her cinematographer Ruslan Fedotov, which is truly extraordinary, a work of art in itself. You can basically make a great movie on your phone. Don’t get carried away, though. Some people just point the camera at something and take pictures, but filmmakers like to get behind the scenes and see what’s really going on. In the right hands, a picture conveys a deeper meaning. The Russians, of course, know all about this art and their famous film industry. Often it’s just a simple technique, like taking a shot a little longer to immerse the viewer in the scene more fully. For example, long, shadowy shots of Gena’s hometown of Magadan, a seaport in eastern Russia, serve as a backdrop for a bizarre shopping encounter in a “mini” drama that concludes with a history lesson about how the city was used as a transit center for political prisoners during the Stalin era. In Moscow, where Gena studies, a long walk through the city center to Red Square shows costumed passersby reacting, including subway soldiers, etc. Great talking points fill the basic story of the film, and Gena’s wonderful underground characters are woven throughout the material. You can witness it, as if you were in an art gallery. He was expelled from Moscow university for defying the colors of the Russian Federation. He attended an anti-Putin protest in costume, and mixes in some impressive improvised dramatic shots. There are also surreal moments, like riding around a fairground dressed in shiny bronze foil, and then Galdanova hangs back with some swings, truly inspired. Too many to mention. Check them out and you’ll see! Kudos to the artist, but equally to the art of the film… both are consistent and deserve attention. I’m sure ‘Queendom’ was very cleverly edited to tell the story the filmmakers wanted to tell. As one reviewer pointed out, it may not have been completed due to changing circumstances. To me, that doesn’t make it any less important or beautiful to watch, I hope it gets attention and wins many awards. Gena currently lives in France and will hopefully be able to monetize her artwork. The film is currently available in the UK on BBC iPlayer as ‘Storyville’ an international spotlight documentary series.