Special Event: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
30th ANNIVERSARY RE-RELEASE
Wed
4
Wed 4 Sep 6:00 PM
Sold Out
Arc Cinema
Allocated Seating
103 Mins | Australian classics
1994 | DCP | AUS | D: Stephan Elliot
The NFSA presents a special screening of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, ahead of its 30th anniversary re-release. Celebrate this iconic Australian film with live drag performances, special guests, a post-screening Q&A and more.
Disillusioned Sydney drag queen Tick aka Mitzi Del Bra (Hugo Weaving) gets a chance to reconnect with his estranged wife and son when he takes his act on the road to a remote casino in the Australian outback. Fellow drag queen Felicia (Guy Pearce) and transgender woman Bernadette (Terence Stamp) are along for the ride, in a ramshackle bus the trio christen ‘Priscilla’.
Through laughter, tears, culture clashes and show-stopping musical numbers, Priscilla's adventure is a heartwarming exploration of friendship, identity and the power of chosen family that continues to resonate 30 years on from its 1994 release. This Aussie cult classic has won numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for costume design, and inspired a hit stage musical.
‘…a tremendous film that was ahead of its time on LGBT issues and, in some ways, is ahead of ours’ – The Guardian
Join us in the NFSA Courtyard from 6pm for a pre-screening soiree, with a drink on arrival and live drag performances by Blisted Sisters. Discover iconic moments from the film throughout the NFSA building, with Australian documentary Between a Frock and a Hard Place showing in the Mediatheque, and the thong dress worn by Hugo Weaving on glorious display in The Library.
The re-release screening kicks off in Arc Cinema at 7pm with an introduction from executive producer Rebel Penfold-Russell. Stick around for even more Priscilla magic after the film, with a post-screening Q&A featuring Penfold-Russell; costume designer Tim Chappel; Garry McQuinn, lead producer of the hit stage musical adaptation; and Graeme Mason, screen industry executive and former Screen Australia CEO.
This title is held in the NFSA collection.
BLISTERED SISTER
They say blood is thicker than water but, according to Blistered Sister, foundation is thicker when applied twice. This dynamic local drag trio may not be blood-related but they’re certainly stuck together like (eyelash) glue. Co-founder of a Canberra dance school, Lucinda Bush (Geza Szanto) began traditional folk dancing at a young age, which inspired a love of choreography, creativity and conceptualisation. Wanda Dinn (Joe Dinn) has has been performing professionally worldwide for 20 years, including touring Europe as Tick in Priscilla the Musical. A prolific local performer and personality, Venus (Samuel Townsend) hosts Cult Classics with Venus Mantrap at the NFSA and recently emceed Sound & Fury.
The NFSA presents a special screening of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, ahead of its 30th anniversary re-release. Celebrate this iconic Australian film with live drag performances, special guests, a post-screening Q&A and more.
Disillusioned Sydney drag queen Tick aka Mitzi Del Bra (Hugo Weaving) gets a chance to reconnect with his estranged wife and son when he takes his act on the road to a remote casino in the Australian outback. Fellow drag queen Felicia (Guy Pearce) and transgender woman Bernadette (Terence Stamp) are along for the ride, in a ramshackle bus the trio christen ‘Priscilla’.
Through laughter, tears, culture clashes and show-stopping musical numbers, Priscilla's adventure is a heartwarming exploration of friendship, identity and the power of chosen family that continues to resonate 30 years on from its 1994 release. This Aussie cult classic has won numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for costume design, and inspired a hit stage musical.
‘…a tremendous film that was ahead of its time on LGBT issues and, in some ways, is ahead of ours’ – The Guardian
Join us in the NFSA Courtyard from 6pm for a pre-screening soiree, with a drink on arrival and live drag performances by Blisted Sisters. Discover iconic moments from the film throughout the NFSA building, with Australian documentary Between a Frock and a Hard Place showing in the Mediatheque, and the thong dress worn by Hugo Weaving on glorious display in The Library.
The re-release screening kicks off in Arc Cinema at 7pm with an introduction from executive producer Rebel Penfold-Russell. Stick around for even more Priscilla magic after the film, with a post-screening Q&A featuring Penfold-Russell; costume designer Tim Chappel; Garry McQuinn, lead producer of the hit stage musical adaptation; and Graeme Mason, screen industry executive and former Screen Australia CEO.
This title is held in the NFSA collection.
BLISTERED SISTER
They say blood is thicker than water but, according to Blistered Sister, foundation is thicker when applied twice. This dynamic local drag trio may not be blood-related but they’re certainly stuck together like (eyelash) glue. Co-founder of a Canberra dance school, Lucinda Bush (Geza Szanto) began traditional folk dancing at a young age, which inspired a love of choreography, creativity and conceptualisation. Wanda Dinn (Joe Dinn) has has been performing professionally worldwide for 20 years, including touring Europe as Tick in Priscilla the Musical. A prolific local performer and personality, Venus (Samuel Townsend) hosts Cult Classics with Venus Mantrap at the NFSA and recently emceed Sound & Fury.