We are following a very interesting person, but it feels like that's all we're doing, following. The doc feels aimless; like it's just going to capture what it captures and not try to structure a narrative. The plot descriptions make it sound like everything is going to lead up to a big performance, but it's all Gena trying to live their life in a country that obviously won't allow it, with Gena occasionally playing Mud Monster or dressing up in an outift that Lady Gaga would have said was too much. I really don't think I even understand Gena, because at one point they talk about how happy they are that people aren't starring at them, but i think the whole point of the costumes is to get attention. I mean, you don't dress up as a baked potato to blend in. I get the message and I grew a deep respect for Gena (the balls it takes to do what they do is way beyond my capabilities), but I think a more pointed and structured doc would have worked better. At points it felt like big chunks of the story were missing and it made it hard to keep a timeliness. Still, whether you want to view Queendom as an attack on Putin's Russia or a celebration of Gena's bravery and commitment or a peak into the life of a huge weirdo who doesn't think they are a weirdo (but, they totally are. There is nothing wrong with being a weirdo and you can't convince me that they honestly think it's normal to walk down the city streets dressed as a tentacle demon.).
We are following a very interesting person, but it feels like that's all we're doing, following. The doc feels aimless; like it's just going to capture what it captures and not try to structure a narrative. The plot descriptions make it sound like everything is going to lead up to a big performance, but it's all Gena trying to live their life in a country that obviously won't allow it, with Gena occasionally playing Mud Monster or dressing up in an outift that Lady Gaga would have said was too much. I really don't think I even understand Gena, because at one point they talk about how happy they are that people aren't starring at them, but i think the whole point of the costumes is to get attention. I mean, you don't dress up as a baked potato to blend in. I get the message and I grew a deep respect for Gena (the balls it takes to do what they do is way beyond my capabilities), but I think a more pointed and structured doc would have worked better. At points it felt like big chunks of the story were missing and it made it hard to keep a timeliness. Still, whether you want to view Queendom as an attack on Putin's Russia or a celebration of Gena's bravery and commitment or a peak into the life of a huge weirdo who doesn't think they are a weirdo (but, they totally are. There is nothing wrong with being a weirdo and you can't convince me that they honestly think it's normal to walk down the city streets dressed as a tentacle demon.).
