Jennie Livingstone's trailblazing documentary, Paris Is Burning, opened the world's eyes to the joy and tragedy of trans life like most of us had never seen it before. Amongst the endlessly quotable "reads", the introduction to queer vocabulary that has since permeated popular culture and the ballroom competitions that are now reflected in our television entertainment, one figure shone even brighter than the rest: Venus Xtravaganza, in her startling confidence and youthful sense of self, captivated viewers who welcomed the young woman into their hearts - her infectious spirit a true tonic. Tragically, she wouldn't get to see the impact her presence in the documentary had; brutally murdered, her killer walking free to this day. It is from that sense of injustice, frustration and confusion that I'm Your Venus is born.
Following Venus' biological family (the Pellagattis) and her found family (the Xtravaganzas), they seek answers to her tragic demise and work to cement her legacy as an icon of the ballroom community. What could have quickly become a dour and agonising recollection of past trauma resurfacing transforms into something far more profound under the steady directorship of Kimberly Reed, who provides the narrative with a sense of moving forward and fighting on. Recognising the importance of the tragedy surrounding Venus but understanding the richer significance of securing her legacy and impact on the ballroom community, LGBTQ+ society and beyond, Reed honours Xtravaganza in the most humanising of ways. By crafting such a detailed portrait that goes beyond the story we all know by imbuing the same colour Venus brought to the world into her own story, I'm Your Venus soars as a piece of filmmaking.
Just as it balances the tragedy with the celebration, I'm Your Venus explores the biological and ballroom family fairly and unjudgementally. Aware of the varying degrees of discomfort, anger and self-searching a revisit to your past requires, we sit in the emotions and complexities of the situation; when we are introduced to Jose Xtravaganza, who recalls the pain of losing Venus all too well, his pain and anguish is treated with the care and respect it deserves, opening the floor to further explorations of memory and growth. In such a relatively short runtime of 80 minutes, I'm Your Venus covers so much ground but does so with a willingness and openheartedness, walking the fine line between examining and scrutinising, while never exploiting.
Developed and delivered with extraordinary, much-needed sincerity, I'm Your Venus recontextualises the idea of both love and family in an extremely cathartic manner. While celebrating and commemorating, the filmmaking team actively encourage the continued fight for a community who have faced too many tragic tales, rooting itself in political action and demonstrating the importance of unity to protect, preserve and champion safe spaces - going far above and beyond what is typically expected of documentary filmmaking. So lovingly rendered by a team of filmmakers with the shared vision to honour a life and legacy, I'm Your Venus paints a stunning portrait of a leader, community icon, woman, sister and friend.
For more information on the Venus House project, which aims to preserve Venus' childhood home as a tangible sanctuary for transgender and queer folks, including way to donate, please visit: https://www.gardenstateequality.org/venus-house/