As popular streaming services whip out their predictable Pride rosters for another year, those at The Polygon, forever ones to look outside the box, have decided to acknowledge the annual event with something a little different.
You’ll find no done-to-death coming of age stories here, and no dingy living room to watch them in, either. Instead, the gallery will be hosting a viewing of '90s cult classic Death Becomes Her, under the clear, night sky.
Part of The Polygon’s annual Deckchair Cinema series, the film is one of 10 that will be shown Thursday evenings at Cates Deck until late August.
Featuring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn, the Oscar winning black comedy follows two middle aged frenemies as they embark on a quest for immortality and eternal youth. At the time the film was met with a fizzling response despite its big budget and star casting, but now, thanks to a heavy inclusion of glamorous gowns, catty remarks and camp aesthetics, its been elevated to gay cult classic status.
The Polygon quotes Drag Race Season 5 winner Jerick Hoffer, who describes the movie as "so campy and over the top" that it can't possibly have been made without drag queens in mind.
Running Aug. 1, the film will serve as a warm up to North Vancouver’s Pride at the Pier the following day, and, as with all other Thursday films, will host a spot of entertainment to gear up the crowd before the curtain rises. On the billing? Drag queens, of course.
Expect to see Phyliss Hull and Friends take to the stage alongside North Shore favourite Conni Smudge and Gary Woods of the North Shore Pride Alliance, who will together host games and giveaways.
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
