Venus Boyz (Documentary)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B-     Extras: C     Main Program: C+

 

 

If gay males are having problems with oppression and are known as much as they are these days, it must be much harder for a female lesbian, as their culture is far less visible.  Venus Boyz (2001) surprises with the little-heard world of “drag kings” as these women decide that they can have some kind of empowerment if they dress like men.  This is done as much on stage as it is in public.

 

It is one of the few aspects of gay life that the mainstream has not trivialized yet, especially since the mainstream seems to be able to deal with weak men (through marginalization in part) than empowerment of women (gay or straight) in any way.  Though it is mostly about empowerment as battle against low self-esteem and against isolation, it actually seems to work for these women who feel left out by society and because of sexual orientation.  Though it may seem limited or unusual, it is a kind of triumph for them that is not really hurting anyone, and though this would find a limited audience to begin with, it seems to have prevented a few suicides.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image is from the original video shooting that was converted to 35mm for theatrical release.  This looks best when we see the variety of colors from nightclubs and more commercial streets, but has the usual video black, red, and whiter limits.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has some Pro Logic surround information, though the much of this dialogue based.  It was issued theatrically in Dolby SR and the fidelity when the sound kicks in sounds like it.  The extras include trailers for this and other First Run Features, a few stills, and two documentary shorts: Venus Boyz Around The World and an interview with Gabriel Baur.

 

It should be said that this is a work that is R in nature, outside of anything that may be shocking about the situation.  Whether one likes it or not depends, but it was very repetitious after a point, hitting a wall in telling its audience anything deeper about the world it shows that that it existed.  Fans and those of said sexual orientation are the only persons I could imagine finding value in repeat viewings.  As for the subject matter, it is a start and seems to have happened as the Gay New Wave ended.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo