Life's A Drag
Alexis and Bettina, two ageing drag queens, take us on a journey with more twists and turns than a set of hot rollers.
Interview with Writer/Producer Victoria Wharfe McIntyre and Director/Actor Rob Queree
Watch Life’s a Drag here:
Why did you make Life’s A Drag?
For many reasons. Firstly we love filmmaking, it was a great opportunity to get the team together, have some fun and tell a story with an important message. Short films are also part of the process of honing skills and developing a body of work that can be a springboard to feature film making.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Again there are many reasons. Firstly, Life’s A Drag is visually beautiful and full of pathos and humour and has a great song and dance number courtesy of our fabulous composer Petra Salsjo. It is fun and a little outrageous and is full of characters with deep emotional connections and deeply troubled emotions! It is a clash of worlds with a surprising twist.
Why is it called Life’s A Drag?
It is a play on words being about a couple of drag queens reviewing life – a life that has not necessarily been easy but always colourful.
Is this a personal or a universal story for you?
It is both personal and universal. When I first moved to the big smoke from the country I lived with a bunch of gay men who broadened my mind in the most fun filled and beautiful ways. We would have ‘drag’ parties just for the fun of it and it turns out drag is a way to be incredibly honest with each other around highly charged emotional issues in a way that is both confrontational and acceptable and hilarious.
I look back on those years so fondly and Life’s A Drag is a tribute to all those men who taught me so much and gave me so much joy. It is also universal as the central core of the film is to be true to oneself and live the life you want to live.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Overwhelmingly positive – it is a short little film but punches above its weight – it touches and teaches and entertains – can’t ask for more than that!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I’m always surprised when watching our films with different audiences – how laughs come in different places or tears…. It seems every screening is unique to the vibe of the audience which is endlessly thrilling for me.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on this platform?
More equality, more freedom, more understanding, more love and more laughter between the people of our world. Difference is wonderful, it makes life richer, I’m always hopeful our films will encourage people to embrace that…which has the knock on effect of peace and prosperity….
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Calling all sales agents, buyers, distributors, festival directors and journalists! Help us spread this little tale of truth, love and freedom to the world!
What type of impact would you like this film to have?
To provide a little ray of encouragement for lives of difference, passion, creativity and honesty to embraced through society.
Lastly, what’s a key question that will help spark a debate or conversation about this film?
Do you know anyone leading a secret life?
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Hope you find a platform to watch Life’s A Drag!
What next for the key creative?
I just shot my final short film, Miro, about an Aboriginal soldier returning home at the end of WWII and am very excited to see the assembly of everyone’s very fine work. Am now in development on a couple of feature films. Our director/actor Rob Queree is featuring in a web series and working on a theatre project and a film. (I was also lucky enough to get him to play my bad guy in Miro)