This is part of our coverage of South by South West (SXSW) 2023.
It’s difficult to view a documentary like Queendom as a member of the queer community, much less write about it, without noticing certain feelings arising. Most notable of those feelings is alarm. It is as much a profile of Gena, a queer artist and activist in Russia, as it is a cautionary tale and call to action for queers in America. Events in the film unfold like omens, and director Agniia Galdanova lets them stand for themselves without embellishment.
Queendom had its world premiere in Austin at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in the Documentary Competition earlier this month. The film was directed and co-produced by Galdanova, who was personally impacted by the open hostilities towards the LGBTQ+ community in Russia.
