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 … Continue reading
We find it so uplifting anytime we can read such a positive story of a trans man or woman especially in these present uncertain political times. One such instance is Out of the Dark: Cal Calamia. Its an intimate and inspiring look at the journey of professional athlete Cal Calamia, a transgender marathon runner who … Continue reading
Having their World Premieres at the 2024 edition of the Tribeca Film Festival are two movies about queer women you will not want to miss. First comes RIPE from directing duo Kerry Furrh and Olivia Mitchell, set in rural Spain, it follows a tumultuous summer romance between an American and a Catalan teen. … Continue reading
I thought I had reached this (advanced?) age of my life with very few regrets, but now I realize I have to add a very important one. Taylor Mac’s 24 Decades History of Popular Music literally performed as a 24 Hour Marathon on Oct 8 – 9 2015 (noon to noon) at St Ann’s … Continue reading
Bafta Nominated American filmmaker Stephen Kijak has carved out quite a niche making some critically acclaimed documentaries about musicians such as Scott Walker, The Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Backstreet Boys, and more recently The Smiths. For his latest film, however, he has captured the narrative of the life of one of Hollywood’s golden matinee idols ROCK HUDSON. The star of such great movies as Giant, Hudson enjoyed a career that lasted more than three decades.
Although discreet regarding his sexual orientation, it was known among Hudson’s colleagues in the film industry that he was gay. This didn’t become public knowledge until 1984 when Hudson was diagnosed with AIDS. The following year, he became one of the first celebrities to disclose his AIDS diagnosis. Hudson was the first major celebrity to die from an AIDS-related illness, on October 2, 1985, at age 59
Hijak’s film is a wonderful celebration of a great actor who even in the closet enjoyed a rather fabulous life, and how his death unwittingly propelled the AIDS Pandemic finally into public conversations that were so long overdue.
This affectionate profile of a real star will be unmissable to those of us who remember him BUT it should also be compulsory viewing for young gay men who haven’t, so they can appreciate such an important era in our community’s history
Author queerguruPosted on Categories queertiques1 Comment on Queerguru reviews ‘I’m Your Venus’ the story of the life and legacy of VENUS XTRAVAGENZA
Bafta Nominated American filmmaker 
