Queen of the Whole Wide World (2001)

Seven drag queens take to the stage to out-do each other in a hilarious pageant in support of an AIDS charity.

Director:

Roger Hyde

Stars:

Kris Andersson, Christian Campbell, Dan Gibson

2 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Kris Andersson	...	Iva Tchiestequolde
Christian Campbell	...	Judge 3
Dan Gibson	...	Connie Lingus
Charles Herrera	...	Himself
Kristen Johnston	...	Judge 2
Scott Lane	...	Coco Quette-ish
Julia Louis-Dreyfus	...	Judge 1
Eric McCormack	...	Judge 4
Scott McPhail	...	Producer
Worthie Meacham	...	Cher Noble Rashonitch
Oscar Quintero	...	Kay Sedia
Daryl Keith Roach	...	Inda Deriairre (as Daryl Roach)
Bruce Vilanch	...	Master of Ceremonies

Storyline

In 1989, a few friends got together in a living room to put on a drag contest as a spoof of the Miss USA competition. Eleven years later, that little contest grew into a gala beauty pageant attracting a crowd of 2,200 people and raising more than $130,000 for Aid for AIDS, one of the oldest HIV agencies in Los Angeles. This film follows the poignant and often hilarious trials of the seven contestants who competed in the 'Quest for the Crown' event on March 4, 2000. While becoming familiar with these very different men, we learn of their personal triumphs and failures in love and life, incorporating their views on the plethora of stereotypes behind putting on a wig and a dress and being gay in a prejudiced world. As the big day approaches, community and philanthropy gradually give way to competitiveness and ego, as the contestants attempt to put on this most outrageous and over-the-top spectacle with the help of seamstresses, carpenters, designers, make-up artists, hairstylists and ...

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Plot Keywords:

drag queen | gay interest

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Taglines:

Just when you thought life was a drag.

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Genres:

Documentary | Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 2001 (USA)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

User Reviews

A great, very funny movie -- don't overlook this gem!

I just caught this movie at NYC's Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. When choosing movies to see, I thought, hmm, a documentary about a drag queen competition, should be a fun, light film. It turns out to be one of the best and funniest movies I've seen in or OUT of festivals in YEARS.

But it's not just drag queens being bitchy and fabulous at a parody of a Miss Universe-type contest, which is actually a major AIDS fundraiser in L.A. -- the film includes enough background material on each "contestant" as they work for MONTHS preparing for this benefit that it turns out to be quite moving, too.

The director has done an expert and professional job conducting the interviews and intercutting all the footage. The packed house I saw it with absolutely loved this film (I predict it will win the festival's audience choice award this year), and was one of those movies where the audience roars so much at all the outrageousness on screen that you miss some of what's being spoken!

This small film is good enough that it should get picked up by PBS or Sundance Channel, and/or play at art houses. If you see it playing or being broadcast, be sure to go see it / watch it -- you'll have a GREAT time!

I hope it's available on video/DVD someday, too -- I'd definitely like to own this feel-good movie.