To coincide with Quench, our Queer Thinkers program, Feast presents a selection of new documentaries from around the globe. All but one of the films will be screened in the intimate Iris Cinema at the Mercury.
With only 36 tickets available to each film screened in the Iris you will need to book early to avoid disappointment.

The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela

Iceland/Philippines
Olaf de Fleur, 2008
English, Thai, Icelandic, Visayan, English subtitles throughout.

This globe-trotting real-fantasy follows the larger than life journey of Filipina 'lady-boy', Queen Raquela, from streetworker in Cebu to internet celebrity in Paris, via Iceland and New York on the way.

Raquela Rios is a born star who dreams of a glamorous life in the West, but how will a poor prostitute in the Philippines ever be 'discovered'? With nothing but her web-cam, wit and a whole lot of attitude, this self proclaimed queen of internet porn is soon turning heads on the other side of the world, and her dream life could be just a plane ride away.

Winner of the prestigious Teddy Award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2008.

quickDOCS,
Aussie queer shorts

Undressing Vanessa by Matthew Pond.
Get up close and personal with one of Australia's most political drag personalities, Vanessa Wagner, charting nearly two decades of frocking up & fighting the good fight.

Le(s)banese by Alissar Gazal.
Alissar Gazal journeys to her homeland to ask "how do Lesbians live, love & play in a troubled nation like Lebanon?" Welcome to the sexy, savvy, confident world of the Le(s)banese.

Kris Cross by Sarah Spillane.
Kris is part way through the process of transitioning from female to male. His upbeat outlook & charismatic charm can't even be dampened by his mum calling him Kristy.

Heart by Amy Gebhardt.
A compelling study on the complicated relationship between artist & muse.

Be Like Others

Iran
Tanaz Eshagian, 2008
Farsi with English subtitles

Under Iran's current fundamentalist laws, homosexuals can be arrested, tortured and even put to death. Changing your gender however, is completely accepted and indeed subsidised by the state.
So what do young gay men do when offered the choice between being incarcerated and disowned by their family or living a free life as a woman... they join the long waiting list for gender reassignment surgery. This is a powerful insight into a cultural climate that, whilst providing a service that many genuinely transgendered people would ache for, has created a situation in which homosexuality can be virtually eradicated.

Football Under Cover

Germany/Iran
David Assmann & Ayat Najafi, 2007
English, German and Persian with English subtitles.

Football Undercover follows a Berlin women's soccer team as they struggle against relentless bureaucratic odds to make a dream come true - to travel to Tehran to play the Iranian women's soccer team, who have never been allowed to compete with an international team before. These women just want to kick around a field and make some new friends, but when cross-cultural politics come into play, this game might not be so easy. While in Tehran the largely lesbian team from Kruezberg must observe strict codes of conduct: homosexual sex is forbidden, and when on the field, players must wear hijab at all times. Funny, thrilling and inspirational down to the final goal.

Age suitability: strictly over 18 years for all films.

Please note: All performances will come off sale on Friday 14 November 2008 at 1:00pm.
Tickets will be available at the door (subject to availability).