This docuseries is a lively and personal look at what it’s like to be queer in New Zealand today. Hosted by the really charming Aniwa Whaiapu Koloamatangi, it feels like you're being invited into all these different parts of the rainbow community that usually don't get much time on TV. The first season is made up of six episodes, each about 30 minutes long, and they all dive into different topics like family, faith, and the specific experience of being Takatāpui, which is the Māori queer identity. It does a really nice job of balancing the tough history of the LGBTQ+ community with a lot of modern-day happiness and pride. The show starts with Aniwa traveling all over the place to meet folks from every walk of life to see how their background and identity mix together. In the first episode, Aniwa actually takes his first HIV test, works through some stuff from his childhood by playing rugby with the NZ Falcons—one of the country’s gay teams—and checks out what Rainbow Youth is d...
The film starts with the audience meeting 11 year old Scott, a very feminine-ish boy. The story keeps going back and for the between his childhood, pre adult and finally his life as a drag performer. Scott/Thirsty always had this female persona, which despite being a girl, was much more freer and tougher. His only respite comes in the form of singing and he gets support from his uncle, from his best friend who encourages him to audition for musicals and finally realizing how he has an affinity for Cher, in terms of looks and voice. While all this happens, Scott/Thirst faces all sorts of hurdles like being bullied by neighborhood boy, basic homophobia, gender non conformity issues, even by his boyfriend Christian, who would prefer a masculine boyfriend rather than. Drag queen. Eventually with support of other drag queens, Scott rechristened Thirsty starts her fabulous journey as diva singing in her own original voice.
The film is at its best in its exploration of gender fluidity and the importance of being at ease with yourself. The idea of flowing between identities is shown as the drag acts get ready for their performance. In one of the scenes where Thirsty is trying to get people to come watch his show, he says that, when he is dressed as a man some people find his gender definition complicated but when he is impersonating Cher it is in some ways simpler because everyone is well aware its a guy in drag. Not many films today address this issue, which is a plus. Having said that, if I see this film just from an entertainment perspective, I am sorry, but I didn't really enjoy it. A patchy back and forth story telling timeline is something that didn't go very well with me in this context. I was quite confused initially. But the performance all all three actors (including Thirsty herself), makes this film for san interesting watch. Some of the songs were quite good while others was strictly ok.
This film is something that everyone would have a different opinion about. I can very well see people liking this movie from a critical and importance point of view, but somehow as a film, it didn't do much for me. (3.5/10)
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