Benissimo, certo, after listening to the NPR interview with Lee Daniels my appetite's been sufficiently whet, like an aperitif, it is certainly time to see his movie called Precious.
Here in Northern Italy, the local digestivo consists of one part soda, prosecco and Campari with a slice of orange or lemon and that's how it felt listening to Sig. Daniels speak, he's so utterly charming, enticing and refreshingly authentic. I'd no idea what the next question would inspire in this guy, how he'd relay a chapter of his life, a family member, a situation, he was so eloquent. He inspired the mind to wind back to former lives and times.
In my 20's I found myself directing fashion shows for a nightclub on 1st avenue. My clients included the Broadway market, Pike Place market and a couple of retail corporations that allowed me to get very creative, infusing rap singers with drag queens and once I found 'drag', before the 'craze' began in Seattle, I got it. They just started showing up at my fashion shows and immediately I knew there was a show I could write specifically for them, which I did, with success.
Drag is such a gorgeous art form when done well and these performers captivated my imagination. I think I launched a career or two and even inspired a well loved modern dancer to come out with his 'alter' personae, a gig I caught last time I was in Seattle. Unfortunately my particular esprit didn't match the savvy of the 'night club' scene and one show in particular where we opened for Rupaul turned me completely off. It had nothing to do with the performers but rather the local promoters. To make matters more complicated, AIDS was everywhere and after holding hands in the hospital and attending funerals the timing inspired a foray back into the 'business' world.
But while I could partake, I did enjoy, watching them apply layers of character, reviewing their closets at home, listening to the older ones I couldn't entice back into business share their tales of live shows and fabulous acts, I suppose it's no coincidence I would go on to recruit and become an advocate for another fringe type, 'the techie'. I'm glad I was there before either went mainstream.
But what I recall most vividly was a conversation I had with one of the performers after a long rehearsal. While driving him home he said, ''honey, you've no idea how hard it is to be black, a fag AND a drag queen," he laughed but that moment was so sad and no, I've no idea but he did provide a snapshot and he shared his story, as much he could. The other two black performers had managed successful careers in the arts but 'Paul' struggled and last time I saw him he was working at Nordstrom's, laughing, spritzing me with some tester perfume. And times have changed so much in the past 20 years, it's fantastic but rather amazing when I step back and review time. Time is on the gay and lesbian side, even if tolerance is not.
I was deeply touched by many things Lee Daniels' had to say about his family, his culture, his reality and how the times dictated something entirely different. I may have lived a parallel life to this young and brilliant director but I can relate to the topics indirectly as I've done a lot of non-profit work towards eliminating domestic violence, I learned as I grew to know and understand the black and gay drag artists in my shows and I've certainly seen how we still must side step around closet cases which is one of the saddest facets of our modern lives.
Every time some soul is oppressed the world loses out, unless they prevail, as does this particular "Precious" and listening to Lee Daniels' candid manner of addressing some of the most brutal aspects of his life; jail bound brothers, abusive fathers, violent neighbors certainly inspires an inspection of movie times for "Precious"....in Milan perhaps....
