Venus Boyz (2002)

Director:

Gabrielle Baur

Writer:

Gabrielle Baur (writer)

Release Date:

13 March 2002 (Belgium)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

A film journey through a universe of female masculinity. A legendary Drag King Night in New York is...

Plot Keywords:

Drag King | Performance | Female Nudity | Sexuality | Gender

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Diane Torr	...	Him / Herself
Dréd Gerestant	...	Himself / Herself
Del La Grace Volcano	...	Himself
Queen Bee Luscious	...	Himself / herself
Mistress Formika	...	Himself / Herself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Philly Abe	...	Himself / Herself
Dee Finley	...	Himself / Herself
Mo Fischer	...	Himself / Herself
Judith Halberstam	...	Himself / Herself
Bridge Markland	...	Himself / herself
Simo Maronati	...	Himself / herself
Shelly Mars	...	Himself / Herself
Marcel Meijer	...	Himself / Herself
Martina Meijer Torr	...	Himself / Herself
A. Hans Scheirl	...	Himself / Herself
Svar Simpson	...	Himself / Herself
Storme Webber	...	Himself / Herself

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

Switzerland | USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Netherlands:AL | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:18 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:18 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Zurich)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Clockwise Productions

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 2005 Glitter Awards (2005) (V)

Good if you're already interested...

Venus Boyz, a documentary film by Gabriel Baur, is all about the exploration and expression of masculinity by women. These individuals range from women who are primarily heterosexual and simply enjoy the power and entitlement they feel while wearing men's clothing and attitudes to women born as hermaphrodites who have, after years of classification as female have opted to explore their inner leanings towards masculinity and male-ness. This range of viewpoints was a key element of why Venus Boyz is a film worth watching.

Unlike their male drag counterparts (queens), drag kings don't have as may films that celebrate and explore why women sometimes feel the need to dress like men, although there are some. Other than Brandon Teena's story, which remains in the spotlight due to his traumatic death and Hillary Swank's portrayal of him in Boys Don't Cry, the individual tales of these female cross-dressers and trans-sexuals are often unheard. Venuz Boyz gives us a range of these stories and a chance to take a glimpse into the performer's lives both on and off stage. Although their tales are sometimes accompanied by kitschy performances, I felt like it was the less showy parts of the documentary that were really able to communicate to me some of the politics, problems and positives of cross-dressing and of exploring female masculinity.

I wouldn't recommend this documentary to everyone. Certainly, you have to be willing to listen with an open mind about these women's experiences with a gender-biased world, but for those who are interested in exploring how a group of women are working individually to redefine gender, this is a worthwhile film. Even though I had a very open mind going into the film and have a background in similar topics, I had no idea that the range of women who choose to cross dress was so diverse. I was also reassured to hear that many of the "protagonists" of the film have been able to find funding and support for their artistic explorations and expressions.

There is a reason that this film has won awards and been featured at major GLBTQ film festivals, and that it is because it offers an insight into a world not found in other films. And, if you have ever wondered about your own female masculinity, this film will likely offer you comfort and familiarity.