Last week it was Transamerica, this week it’s The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - transsexuals are all the rage on TV at the moment it seems, and there's more to come on Thursday. This road movie is the story of a transsexual drag artist and her two drag artist friends who travel from Sydney to a gig in Alice Springs, crossing the Australian Outback in a flamboyantly decorated second-hand bus they affectionately name Priscilla.
Australia really does produce some fabulous comedy. This is one of my favourite films of all time. It has everything that’s enjoyable about a great drag act (humour, sarcasm, self-deprecation, bitchiness, fabulous wigs, costumes and great songs) and sets it against the stunning scenery of the Australian outback. And, on top of all of that there’s an extremely moving story about friendship and identity that entertains on a deeper human level.
The costumes won an Oscar, the film was nominated for loads of BAFTAs and the soundtrack is fantastic (it includes I Will Survive, I Don’t Care if the Sun Don’t Shine, I Love the Nightlife, Finally, Save the Best for Last, Fernando and Mamma Mia).
Here’s a taste of the movie played out to the film’s opening song, I’ve Never Been to Me http://youtube.com/v/rOYmTZZIFkU
