Queendom, the critically acclaimed documentary directed by Agniia Galdanova, is set to premiere in the UK on December 1, 2023. The film follows the journey of Gena Marvin, a queer artist hailing from Magadan, a small town in Russia, who uses her art to stage radical public performances aimed at reshaping perceptions of beauty and queerness while shedding light on the harassment faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
Art and Activism: Gena Marvin’s Transformative Performances Growing up in the harsh streets of a frigid Soviet Gulag outpost, Gena Marvin has channeled her experiences into her art, creating a unique blend of art and activism. Her sci-fi, ethereal aesthetic, crafted from discarded upcycled materials, serves as a powerful protest against the Russian government on the streets of Moscow. These performances, often described as dark, strange, evocative, and inherently queer, reflect Gena’s subconscious, but they also come at a price.
Critical Acclaim and Awards Queendom made its screen debut earlier this year, competing at SXSW and winning the Next:Wave award at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen and The Audience Award at The Camden Film Festival. The documentary has received widespread critical acclaim, boasting a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers have praised its raw and poignant storyline, highlighting the bravery displayed both cinematically and in the broader context of the documentary’s execution.
A Timely Release Amidst Stricter Anti-Trans Legislation Queendom arrives at a critical juncture in Russia, as Vladimir Putin has recently enacted some of the world’s most stringent anti-trans legislation, which includes restrictions on gender-affirming surgeries, hormone therapy, and the ability for trans individuals to change their gender identity on official documents. Despite the legality of homosexuality in Russia since 1993, the LGBTQIA+ community continues to face significant challenges, including a lack of legal protection against hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
A Harsh Reality for LGBTQIA+ Rights in Russia The new legislation is seen as a continuation of the Russian government’s repressive policies, extending beyond LGBTQI people to encompass broader human rights, freedom of speech, and democracy. As Nef Cellarious, a representative of LGBTQIA+ rights group Vykhod, aptly noted, this law represents a logical step in the government’s efforts to ‘protect’ and ‘preserve’ so-called traditional values in the country.
Queendom promises to be a powerful and timely exploration of these issues, shedding light on the resilience and creativity of queer artists like Gena Marvin in the face of adversity. Don’t miss this compelling documentary when it lands in cinemas on December 1, 2023.