“The mother of all drag documentaries…a small movie with a big heart!” – The New York Times
More than 40 years before RuPaul’s Drag Race, this groundbreaking documentary about the 1967 Miss All-American Camp Beauty Pageant introduced audiences to the world of competitive drag. The film takes us backstage to kiki with the contestants as they rehearse, throw shade, and transform into their drag personas in the lead-up to the big event. Organized by LGBTQ icon and activist Flawless Sabrina, the competition boasted a star-studded panel of judges including Andy Warhol, Larry Rivers, and Terry Southern. But perhaps most memorable is an epic diatribe calling out the pageant’s bias delivered by Crystal LaBeija, who would go on to form the influential House of LaBeija, heavily featured in Paris Is Burning (1990). A vibrant piece of queer history, The Queen can now be seen in full resplendence thanks to a new restoration from the original camera negative.
This screening will be introduced by St. Louis drag leaders, Devion Mornetts and Nick Fruend.
DEVION MORNETTS has over 25 years in the field of female impersonation. She’s archived titles such as Miss Missouri USofA, Miss Show Me States UsofA, and Miss Springfield America. She has served as show director at some of the most iconic show bars in Missouri. She currently resides in St. Louis and is a Belle of The Bevo as well as the mentor and host for Royal Rumble, a drag race style talent completion every third Thursday of the month at The Little Bevo.
NICK FRUEND (a.k.a. Janessa Highland) has been performing for 15 years. Janessa has captured titles such as Miss Gay Missouri America where she went on to place 4th of 43 contestants at Miss Gay America in 2019. She is also a former National title holder reigning as Miss Cosmopolitan 2021. She is a former Miss St. Louis America, Missouri All American Goddess and Miss Show Me States USofA. She now owns and operates The Little Bevo, an event space which offers weekly drag shows and a monthly themed drag brunch in addition to hosting weddings and private events
This film is screening as part of Arkadin’s month-long celebration of PRIDE, showcasing a wide array of queer classics, cult favorites, and underseen gems.
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