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You're viewing the Frameline32 (2008) archive held in 2008. Explore this years festival

The Kinsey Sicks: Almost Infamous

Directed by Ken Bielenberg2008USA95 mins

The members of the Kinsey Sicks describe themselves as America’s only self-supporting, multi-person, out, queer, drag-a-pella, political comedy revue. And they’ve done quite well for themselves, making a living playing sold-out shows in college towns, entertaining audiences with songs like “Rent a Homo,” “I Want to Be a Republican” and “AZT” (sung to the tune of the Jackson 5’s own three-letter ’70s hit). But Ken Bielenberg’s spirited documentary does more than capture their raunchy humor and cutting satire: It tracks the group’s preparation for a potential open-ended run at the Las Vegas Hilton. And when these drag queens hit Vegas, you know there’s going to be drama.

Combining interviews with onstage footage and glimpses into the personal lives of “Trampolina,” “Trixie,” “Winnie” and “Rachel,” Almost Infamous tracks the travails of the traveling band: the smelly costumes, the condescending sound guys, the exhaustion, the dead audiences. It also documents a queer act trying to come to terms with its own success. Will the singers soften the emotional edge of their show to appeal to a larger audience? Can they hold up under the pressure of performing every day? Will they get the hotel to pay for their wireless Internet?

It’s a grand drag spectacle and an intimate look at an act struggling to preserve its substance in the face of forces that are working to reduce them to nothing more than camp. — AARON LAZENBY

Quick links
Director
Ken Bielenberg
Year
2008
Country
USA
Running Time
95 mins
Language
English
Section
Documentary

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