Experiencing pleasure in wartime may sound like an impossibility, however members of the LGBTQ group in Ukraine are proving it’s not solely achievable, however even a type of resistance.
Diva Monroe, a trans girl, and drag performers Marlene and Aura star in Queens of Joy, which simply held its world premiere on the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival in Greece. They embrace their identities, promote solidarity amongst all Ukrainians and dedicate their energies to elevating cash to assist the defenders of their homeland, which has been underneath vicious full-scale assault from Russia for greater than three years now.
Malanka Studios/Les Steppes Productions/Movies & Chips
“Queens of Pleasure is an announcement concerning the braveness to be your self, concerning the seek for hope, and about how true magnificence is born in freedom,” filmmaker Olga Gibelinda writes in a director’s assertion. “This movie is for everybody, as every of us fights our personal battle—for id, for love, for the proper to have a voice on this world. Within the darkest occasions, what unites us isn’t just shared ache, but in addition unwavering dignity, the power to rejoice, create, and love. It’s a story about those that, regardless of the struggle, select life in all its colours.”
As proven within the Oscar-shortlisted documentary Queendom, concerning the Russian drag efficiency artist Gena Marvin, Russia grew to become an much more inhospitable place for LGBTQ folks after the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. In November 2023, as an illustration, Russia’s supreme courtroom declared the “worldwide LGBTQ motion” to be an extremist group. That is however one indication of the best way during which the struggle constitutes a conflict of civilizations – one which’s repressive and illiberal, and one other that’s way more open and inclusive.
Marlen in ‘Queens of Pleasure’
Malanka Studios/Les Steppes Productions/Movies & Chips
Queens of Pleasure “demonstrates that the Ukrainian LGBTQ+ group is an integral a part of society and actively helps the nation in its most tough occasions,” notes producer Ivanna Khitsinska. “In occasions of struggle, the one factor that issues is which aspect you struggle on, not the way you gown or whom you like. Queens of Pleasure goals to develop the dialogue about human rights, freedom of expression and tolerance. This venture is a message to the world that Ukrainians are combating not just for their independence, but in addition for the proper to freedom in all its manifestations.”
Provides producer Louis Beaudemont, “Queens of Pleasure goes towards all our preconceived notions. It exhibits that the struggle in Ukraine doesn’t convey extra paternalism, extra hatred, extra racism, or extra homophobia. Quite the opposite, the event of Ukrainian id, free of the chains of the Russian Empire and within the horrible situations of essentially the most violent battle Europe has skilled for the reason that Second World Warfare, embraces an concept that lies on the very basis of Europe: united in range.”
Queens of Pleasure is a manufacturing of Malanka Studios, Les Steppes Productions, and Movies & Chips, in collaboration with ARTE and Suspilne Ukraine (the nationwide public broadcaster in Ukraine).
“Queens of Pleasure is also proof that Ukraine is a free and tolerant nation,” feedback Sergiy Nedzelskyy, head of co-production and outsource commissioning at Suspilne Ukraine. “I can’t think about seeing such a movie within the totalitarian states.”
Diva Monroe in ‘Queens of Pleasure’
Malanka Studios/Les Steppes Productions/Movies & Chips
The documentary weaves between the tales of the three protagonists, exploring their particular person journeys of self-acceptance and self-expression. Diva Monroe (who attracts inspiration from Marilyn Monroe, therefore her identify) grew to become a distinguished TV host, actress, blogger, and influencer in Ukraine, however in some respects discovered that public persona constraining. “She seeks assist from a psychologist and steadily reveals her true self, breaking free from her public picture,” the filmmakers be aware.
Artur Ozerov, aka Aura, in ‘Queens of Pleasure’
Malanka Studios/Les Steppes Productions/Movies & Chips
Curiously, Artur Ozerov, aka Aura, is each a navy man and, when out of uniform, a drag artist. He comes from what be known as a divided household — his uncle left Ukraine for Russia, the place he grew to become an officer within the FSB, the successor of the KGB. Arthur and his mom, in the meantime, “selected the values of freedom” and although initially native Russian audio system they immersed themselves within the Ukrainian language as an act of patriotism.
Oleksandr Danilin, aka Marlen Scandal, cultivates a fierce drag persona, propelling them to legendary standing in Ukraine’s LGBTQ group. As seen in Queens of Pleasure, Marlen organizes a serious charity occasion to boost cash for Ukrainian troopers.
L-R Diva Monroe, producer Ivanna Khitsinska, and director Olga Gibelinda take part in a Q&A after the world premiere of ‘Queens of Pleasure’
Matthew Carey
The movie explores one space of sensitivity for the nation’s queer group – the shortage of authorized recognition for similar intercourse relationships. Ukrainian legislation doesn’t allow similar intercourse marriages nor codify civil unions. At a Q&A following the world premiere, the filmmaking group famous that Ukraine’s legislature is contemplating a draft legislation that may accord authorized standing to similar intercourse partnerships.
The difficulty has turn out to be significantly urgent in wartime, as a result of companions of LGBTQ troopers killed in battle at the moment don’t have any proper to spousal advantages – a actuality explored within the documentary. Olga Gibelinda, the director, and Ivanna Khitsinska, the producer, expressed some optimism that such laws is likely to be authorised, telling the viewers that Ukrainian society as a complete acknowledges the sacrifice of its LGBTQ navy personnel who’ve bravely taken up the protection of their nation.
The ‘Queens of Pleasure’ inventive group and Diva Monroe (left) participate in a Q&A following the world premiere
Matthew Carey
Queens of Pleasure is amongst a dozen movie tasks by Ukrainian filmmakers which have earned assist from ARTE for the reason that begin of the full-scale struggle.
“At ARTE GEIE in Strasbourg, we had been instantly enthusiastic about this upbeat and related venture,” the corporate stated in an announcement. “The Queens fight struggle and homicide with pleasure – and resist by persevering with day by day life with dance, love and colourful energy. Due to this fact, they’ve determined to remain put of their nation and proceed to struggle for LGBTQ+ visibility and rights in wartime.”
