It’s Divine timing! Come celebrate Divine, the filthy and fabulous star of John Waters’ cult classics and a trailblazer of queer cinema who rose to prominence in the 1970s and '80s, and became a symbol of audacious self-expression and revolutionized the portrayal of drag in film.
In this class, we’ll delve into key films of Divine’s career, and his lasting impact on queer culture and the broader landscape of cinema. We’ll trace his transformation from a local Baltimore performer to a global icon, his collaborations with John Waters’ Dreamlanders and the Cockettes, and his influence and enduring legacy in drag, film and queer nightlife. At the same time, we’ll hold space for the Divine who wasn’t on the screen, his struggles and his thwarted dreams of breaking into bigger Hollywood films.
Films:
10/2: PINK FLAMINGOS (1972, 93 min)
10/9: FEMALE TROUBLE (1974, 89 min)
10/16: TROUBLE IN MIND (1985, 111 min)
10/23: HAIRSPRAY (1988, 92 min)
This class will be taught by Max Swanson, a filmmaker/performer, writer, educator, and organizer based in Portland, OR. They currently also 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.
Movies will be screened at the Movie Madness Miniplex, followed by an instructor-led discussion. Classes will begin on Wednesday, October 2nd, and be held each Wednesday evening through October 23rd at 6:30pm.
Class size will be limited to 18.
Email us at education@moviemadness.org if you have any questions.
In general, the Hollywood Theatre does not provide content advisories about the subject matter shown in our theatre. Films exhibited don’t necessarily reflect the views of the Hollywood Theatre. Information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media and DoesTheDogDie.com.