Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

This weekend, Ledcat and I watched Waxie Moon in Fallen Jewel.

We had not previously heard of Waxie Moon, who is a self-styled ‘international gender-blending queer lady boylesque performance-art stripping sensation.’ Waxie had previously been featured in a documentary about the mostly queer neo-burlesque community in Seattle. This second movie is more plot driven, exploring Waxie’s search for love in a whirling blur of genre shifting send-ups of female Hollywood tropes. From Carrie Bradshaw to Mama Rose, Waxie somehow infuses a little bit of Louis C.K. into stylized romp through the classics.

Louis C.K.? I just began watching his show and I kept thinking how much performance artist Marc Kenison reminds me of the comedian/actor. It isn’t so much a physical resemblance as perhaps their shared willingness to explore the uncomfortable and awkward spaces.

Anyway, this movie is definitely entertaining. It is a little distracting trying to identify all of the cinematic references and cameos (I didn’t recognize anyone) so it might be a little too “inside” for the average viewer to fully appreciate. But I was familiar with most of the tropes and enjoyed the intersection of Waxie in character as the leading lady in some pretty terrific mashup scenes. And her clothes were terrific.

Ledcat says “Waxie Moon seems like they would be very fun to hang out with and makes me want to take a trip to Seattle.”

This is a must-see movie if you are a fan of burlesque, Andy Warhol, John Waters or thoughtful explorations of women’s roles in cinema. It is fun, weird and puzzling, a heady combination in your movie watching.

It will be available for pre-order on DVD.