Queen of Ireland (The)
- Director: Conor Horgan
- Writer: Conor Horgan; Philip McMahon
- Producer: Ailish Bracken; Katie Holly
CGiii Comment
Well...let's start this off - quite simply - with...
What a fantastic piece of history...well done Ireland.
And...
What a fantastic film...well done Panti...well done Conor Horgan.
From an 'innocuous' interview on RTE...the shit hit the fan...the equality campaign had a spokesperson, RTE had muck on their face...and, the solicitors were a lowdown, asinine disgrace.
Why does this film work so well? Because Panti has history. It really is that simple.
Kids screaming equality doesn't quite resonate as much as older people do...demanding their denied right.
As Panti rightly says...it wasn't a 4 month campaign, it has taken 40 years. Murderers, rapists and the like...have always been allowed to marry unhindered...what does that say about the attitude of State, Government & church?!?
We paid our taxes...yet, were denied a fundamental right.
It was all hands on deck to propel this campaign...Panti stood - on the bridge - bedecked in finery and falsies...ably helping the steerage towards...YES.
This is a happy, truthful and insightful film...and, YES, without her...it could have been NO.
Long may her ship sail.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
A documentary that follows drag queen Panti Bliss: part glamorous aunt, part Jessica Rabbit, she's a wittily incisive performer with charisma to burn who is widely regarded as one of the best drag queens in the world. Created by Rory O'Neill, Panti is also an accidental activist and in her own words 'a court jester, whose role is to say the un-sayable'. In recent years, Rory has become a figurehead for LGBT rights in Ireland and since the 2014 scandal around Pantigate, his fight for equality and against homophobia has become recognised across the world.