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Venus Boyz

Released Aug 22, 2003 1h 45m Documentary List
81% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
This intimate look into the real world of drag kings -- women exploring their masculinity -- crosses continents, traveling through drag king nightclubs from New York to London. Through interviews and on-stage performances, every subject reveals a different reason for choosing the gender they have. The film is less a critique than an exploration of a world that is increasingly becoming mainstream, as the featured protagonists question exactly how gender works, and should work, in modern society.

Critics Reviews

View All (16) Critics Reviews
Gary Dowell Dallas Morning News Although Ms. Baur's meandering style betrays her inexperience as a documentary filmmaker, she nonetheless treats her subjects with compassion and dignity and avoids exploiting or vilifying her subjects. Rated: B- Jan 8, 2004 Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Illuminating. Rated: 3/5 Nov 6, 2003 Full Review Lou Lumenick New York Post It's not uninteresting, but so much footage is given over to earnest discussion of sexual politics that the overall effect is like sitting through a semester's worth of transgender studies. Rated: 1.5/4 Aug 21, 2003 Full Review Steve Schneider Orlando Weekly Filmmaker Gabriel Baur's doc is only about sex to the extent that you can't have sex without identifying yourself as something -- and how you identify yourself has a lot to do with how others treat you. Rated: 3/5 Apr 30, 2004 Full Review Laura Kelly South Florida Sun-Sentinel Experiencing this form of gender exploration is like discovering a new color in the rainbow. And it adds a whole new meaning to the phrase 'You go, girl!' Rated: 3/4 Mar 11, 2004 Full Review Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone TheMovieChicks.com Fascinating discussions... but there is so much repetition that it starts to get boring and people sharing their innermost secrets shouldn't be boring. Rated: 2.5/5 Jan 9, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (4) audience reviews
Audience Member A really interesting and refreshing look at the diversity that exists outside the confines of 'normal' gender roles. It was also made in this strange artsy way that makes the whole movie feel like a surreal dream. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member It was alright. Dragkings always fascinate me. I liked the last 1/2 hour of it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member A great documentary about drag kings directed by the swiss Gabrielle Bauer. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member great docu about drag-kings. yes, girls who perform shows dressed as men. most are very convincing even tho they are also beautiful women in daily life. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/22/07 Full Review Read all reviews
Venus Boyz

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Venus Boyz

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Movie Info

Synopsis This intimate look into the real world of drag kings -- women exploring their masculinity -- crosses continents, traveling through drag king nightclubs from New York to London. Through interviews and on-stage performances, every subject reveals a different reason for choosing the gender they have. The film is less a critique than an exploration of a world that is increasingly becoming mainstream, as the featured protagonists question exactly how gender works, and should work, in modern society.
Director
Gabrielle Baur
Distributor
First Run
Production Co
Clockwise Productions
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 22, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 15, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$18.4K
Runtime
1h 45m