Bearded Ladies: The Photography of Rosamund Norbury (RAFF)

Directed by Sharon McGowan / 2015 / Canada / 53 min

“Norbury shifts the phallocentric culture of photography to an unknown place, or in her words: into a “surprise that unfolds in front of me.’” -Vancouver Queer Film Festival 2016

Vancouver director Sharon McGowan follows the fascinating work of Rosamond Norbury, a photographer whose diverse corpus includes black and white nudes, homoerotic cowboys, and other edgy gender-bending projects. The film covers Norbury’s photographic study of drag queens during their pre-performance rituals of costuming and applying make-up to take on new personas. Her latest project flips the process of “dressing up” and further examines gender play and performance by transforming several women into their imagined male counterparts. At times humorous and philosophical, this film offers an intimate look at people and their complex and multifaceted identities.

We are very excited to announce that the photographer Rosamond Norbury and film Producer Peggy Thompson will be joining us for a post-screening Q+A session!

Watch the trailer for Bearded Ladies here.

Bearded Ladies will be preceded by two short films.

Queer Habits is about the humanitarian efforts of a group of drag queens inspired by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and their remarkable contribution to a local community in California. This film is directed by Drew Denny.

The second featured short, Regalia: Pride in Two Spirits follows the experience of Duane Stewart, a “two spirit” youth from the Hais’la and Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations in BC. Regalia is directed by Love Intersections, a film production group located in Vancouver.

Please note that viewer discretion is advised as this film screening contains mature content as well as nude and sexual photographs.

Get more information about the Reel Art Film Festival here.

Tickets: Adult Individual Screening $12, Student/Low Income Individual Screening $6 (all prices plus applicable taxes and fees)

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Babes in Arms: As per fire regulations, every body that goes into the auditorium must have a ticket, including infants. For this performance, complimentary tickets will be provided for babes in arms. Please inform Ticket Centre staff if you will be bringing a child under 2 years of age.