Skip to main content

Deep Dive: Kiki (2016)

Play Trailer

Film Lens

Kiki
Kiki is a 2016 documentary co-written and directed by Sara Jordenö, focusing on the drag and voguing scene in New York City. It surveys the lives of LGBT youth of color during a time when issues like Black Lives Matter and trans rights are prominent. The film profiles several young LGBTQ individuals participating in contemporary African-American ball culture, providing a platform for their voices and experiences. Considered an unofficial sequel to the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, Kiki emphasizes activism and education, particularly for youth aged 13 to 24. It gives more screen time to the struggles of transgender youth of color, including access to hormone replacement therapy and the realities of sex work. The film also addresses the discrimination these individuals face, including police homophobia, and shows the importance of community support and education regarding HIV/AIDS prevention.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Twiggy Pucci Garçon, a key figure in the Kiki community.
  • •Follow Gia Marie Love's transition as a trans woman.
  • •See the impact of HIV/AIDS activism on young LGBT lives.
  • •Discover the vibrant drag and ball culture in New York City.

Did You Know

•Kiki premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2016.
•The film won a Teddy Award for best LGBTQ-related documentary at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival.
•Twiggy Pucci Garçon, a leader in the Kiki community, co-wrote the film.
•Gia Marie Love and Izana Vidal are followed as they transition into trans women over several years.
•Garçon lost 25 friends to AIDS, emphasizing the film's focus on HIV/AIDS activism.

Perfect For

LGBTQ activismDrag cultureTransgender issuesHIV/AIDS awareness