Marlene Dietrich: gender-bending goddess of the silver screen, bisexual fashion icon, political actor in World War II. Dietrich’s career is a history lesson, from her early years in pre-war Berlin theater and film to her seven-film collaboration with director Josef von Sternberg, her time spent entertaining the Allied Forces in WWII, and her success in Hollywood. Today, her influence is still seen everywhere from fashion designers to drag queens like Sasha Velour.
In this class, we'll trace her life and films, and with them the evolution of her gender, sexuality, and persona. Come honor the masculine-feminine divine in the second installment of our Iconic Queer Ancestors class series!
For a complete list of titles that will be shown in this course, email education@moviemadness.org with “film titles” in the subject line.
Movies will be screened at the Movie Madness Miniplex, followed by an instructor-led discussion. Classes will be held Tuesdays through December at 6:30pm. Proof of vaccination is required for all students and instructors.
Tuition is $75 for the four-week class, $60 for Hollywood Theatre/Movie Madness members. Class size will be limited to 18.
This class will be taught by Max Swanson, a nonfiction/experimental filmmaker/performer, writer, educator, and organizer based in Portland, OR. They currently teach at NW Doc and PSU, and work as a freelance story consultant. They are also a co-producer of the local drag and art collaborative Max & Mars Present.