I just crossed the barrier. I'm not afraid anything!
June 1, 2024 8:48 AM Subscribe
This is the story of how a low-budget Australian film – The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – changed the course of history, loudly and proudly bringing a celebration of gay culture to the world that continues to resonate 20 years on. Narrated by Terence Stamp, Between a Frock and a Hard Place [57m] is also a social history of gay culture in Australia, drawing on footage from the famous movie as well as Sydney in the 80s.
A time when the AIDS epidemic had taken hold, this time provided inspiration to director Stephan Elliott, who wanted to tell a story about the world of gay people, celebrating in the face of sadness and fear with flamboyant defiance. Includes interviews with the film’s key players – director Stephan Elliott, actors Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving, and the creative team, as well as drag artists and members of the gay community.
A time when the AIDS epidemic had taken hold, this time provided inspiration to director Stephan Elliott, who wanted to tell a story about the world of gay people, celebrating in the face of sadness and fear with flamboyant defiance. Includes interviews with the film’s key players – director Stephan Elliott, actors Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving, and the creative team, as well as drag artists and members of the gay community.
The documentary was made 10 years ago. The description is lifted direction from the YouTube description.
posted by hippybear at 9:01 AM on June 1
posted by hippybear at 9:01 AM on June 1
Oh, right. The YT posting date deceived me.
posted by rory at 9:05 AM on June 1 [1 favorite]
posted by rory at 9:05 AM on June 1 [1 favorite]
(cough) 2024 − 1994 = 30 years.
I also had a double take at the quoted time - - What! Only 20 years since Priscilla!!!
Sure the YouTube documentary is 10 years old, but the real celebration is for the 30th anniversary of the original classic Australian movie.
posted by fairmettle at 9:13 AM on June 1
I also had a double take at the quoted time - - What! Only 20 years since Priscilla!!!
Sure the YouTube documentary is 10 years old, but the real celebration is for the 30th anniversary of the original classic Australian movie.
posted by fairmettle at 9:13 AM on June 1
Loved this movie, happy Pride month! 🏳️🌈
posted by ellieBOA at 9:59 AM on June 1 [3 favorites]
posted by ellieBOA at 9:59 AM on June 1 [3 favorites]
We just rewatched this the other night. Has there ever been an actor having more fun with a line that Stamp saying "A cock in a frock on a rock"?
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 2:16 PM on June 1 [2 favorites]
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 2:16 PM on June 1 [2 favorites]
I feel like the documentary is implying that Australia didn't have much acceptance of gay culture pre-Priscilla, and then it was after that when the Mardis Gras began? Am I interpreting that correctly?
posted by hippybear at 2:29 PM on June 1
posted by hippybear at 2:29 PM on June 1
Whether for better or worse (if it even happens), in April 2024, the director tentatively announced plans for a Priscilla sequel. He says he intends to include the restored bus from the original film.
posted by NetizenKen at 2:40 PM on June 1
posted by NetizenKen at 2:40 PM on June 1
hi hippybear, no, Mardi Gras started (as a political demo) in Sydney in June 1978 in solidarity and response to a call from the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Committee to commemorate Stonewall. It was an annual public extravaganza by the time Priscilla came out in 1994. But that was Sydney, and things were very different across Australia (e.g. homosexuality was illegal in the state of Tasmania until 1997).
posted by happyfrog at 2:45 PM on June 1 [5 favorites]
posted by happyfrog at 2:45 PM on June 1 [5 favorites]
Missed the edit window, but another better source with lots of interviews with people who were there describe it as more of a public dance party, at least before the cops moved in.
posted by happyfrog at 2:52 PM on June 1 [1 favorite]
posted by happyfrog at 2:52 PM on June 1 [1 favorite]
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posted by rory at 8:58 AM on June 1 [4 favorites]