In setting out to document the re-opening the investigation of the unsolved brutal murder of Venus Xtravaganza, filmmaker Kimberly Reed uncovers a side of this story that we would never have expected. Venus was one of the stars of the legendary 1990 documentary PARIS IS BURNING about drag queens in the ballroom scene of New York City. She was killed during the film’s shooting and so never got to see the finished movie that would change so many lives then and now.
Reed’s cameras are there to see Venus’s three biological brothers entrenched in their New Jersey roots who eagerly step out of their comfort zone to discover the truth of what happened to their sister. By their own admission they could have been more understanding and supportive of her when she was alive, but what strikes us overwhelmingly from the very first scene is their genuine love for her. Its their very determination that drives this new search for her killer and even the most cynical amongst us cannot doubt their sincerity.
Its 35 years on and although the likelihood of now actually solving the murder is slim (No spoilers here) its how her biological family link up with her ballroom family that is credit to how Venus left her mark on them in her very short life.
They all struggle to uncover new facts and get closer to finding out who the killer was but they remain steadfast in getting another sense of closure. Like getting her name legally recognized so that they can finally get her gravestone corrected, and also getting some official recognition from the local city council.
The timing of the film couldn’t be more appropriate with this present political climate that reeks of transphobia. It therefore makes the emotional and spectacular ending even more rewarding, BUT you will have to see it for yourself.
Our hope is that families of trans people will appreciate how important families are ….. even more so whilst they are alive.
ROGER WALKER-DACK Creator, Editor-in-Chief Miami Beach, FL / Provincetown, MA IG @QUEERGURU Member of G.A.L.E.C.A. (Gay & Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association) and NLGJA The Association of LGBT Journalists. and The Online Film Critics Society. Ex Contributing Editor The Gay Uk & Contributor Edge Media Former CEO and Menswear Designer of Roger Dack Ltd in the UK
P.S we were thrilled to hear from John Pellagatti jr the eldset brther who wrote :
 | Thanks For the Great Review “ we All Need To Support Each Other “ especially in The Days Months And Years Ahead”. |
Labels: 2024, documentary, Im Your Venus, Kimberly Reed, Paris Is Burning, Tribeca, Venus Xtravaganza
Thanks For the Great Review “ we All Need To Support Each Other “ especially in The Days Months And Years Ahead”.