Evah Destruction
The Atlanta queer scene is always evolving. As the political and social tides turn in our favor, it is easy to forget where we came from.
With every cultural shift, we often lose sight of the struggles our queer predecessors faced and the barriers they shattered. The fascinating new Atlanta documentary, Queer Moxie, is a direct response to this.
Queer Moxie premiered last fall to a sold out crowd during the Out on Film festival. You might remember our preview of the film where we spoke to filmmakers Heather Provoncha and Leo Hollen, Jr., about their reasons for taking on this project. Since then, the duo have worked tirelessly to add the finishing touches and are ready to present the film in its final form.
Filmmakers Leo Hollen Jr. and Heather Provoncha
“Queer Moxie is told from the perspective of the next generation with the strength, conviction, and PRIDE of those that came before. Queer Moxie celebrates those that have pushed boundaries representing others who were not once able to see themselves onstage.”
The documentary has been in the works since 2009, but the images span back decades. From Backstreet to Legendary Children, the film documents not only the queens and kings of Atlanta, but also features spoken word artists, comedians, poets, and musicians.
During the screening last year, I was amazed at how much emotion the film evoked in the people around me. The audience cheered, clapped, and cried when their personal favorites graced the screen. Many of these performers are no longer with us, but their presence was clearly felt in the theater. The documentary is a love letter not only to the artists, but to the audiences who helped create this community.
“If you go outside of the perimeter you’d be hard pressed to find another queer performance space, which is sad, but expected. Part of our motivation with this film was to bring this to people who aren’t so lucky to have it.”
As someone who is relatively new to Atlanta, it was incredible to see so much history presented on screen. Friends have told me stories of watching drag legends Lily White and Diamond Lil electrify audiences, long before gay marriage had passed and RuPaul’s Drag Race was a thing. I had heard about the epic alterna-pride festival, Mondo Homo. To witness all of these creative powerhouses being showcased and solidified into Atlanta herstory is something every young Atlanta queer should experience. In addition to the archival footage, the film features interviews by local queer powerhouses such as: Amber Taylor, Ian Aber, Brigitte Bidet, Brent Starr, Kiki Carr, Vagina Jenkins, Theresa Davis, and more!
Queer Moxie (Official Trailer) from Queer Moxie on Vimeo.
If you’re free on May 19, make sure you’re at Midtown Art Cinema for the screening. The filmmakers are raising money to enter Moxie into festivals by way of a silent auction, featuring photographs by Dyana Bagby, Erin Ashford, Sir Jesse, and myself! You’ll also have the chance to buy some Queer Moxie swag and mingle with the filmmakers and artists. Live performances will begin at 7pm with the film starting directly after.
Get your tickets here before they sell out!