Jennifer M Kroot is an indie filmmaker who loves to make movies about people/events in her hometown of San Francisco. Her resume to date includes films about George Takei and Armistead Maupin, and her latest one is about one of the most glorious annual events in ‘the city by the bay’, THE HUNKY JESUS CONTEST is organised by The SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE a unique charitable, protest, and street performance movement that uses drag and religious imagery to satirize issues of sex, gender, and morality and fundraise for charity. In 1979, a small group of gay men in San Francisco began wearing the attire of Catholic nuns in visible situations, using camp to promote various social and political causes in the Castro. It’s no understatement to acknowledge that all their work made a significant difference to the large queer community, particularly during the AIDS pandemic, which hit SF worse than most places.
Jennifer’s cameras capture the sheer passion and ceaseless energy of the Sisters as they make HUNKY JESUS a day of great fun …..even amidst the present toxic political climate … and as a significant fundraiser too. The film has the distinct honor of being chosen to have its World Premiere as the Opening Night Gala of the prestigious BFI FLARE Film Festival in London, and Queerguru caught up with a very excited Jennifer as she was packing to leave for London.
PS We previously sat down with the indefatigable Sister Roma …..you may like to check out that interview too HERE
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