May 3 – May 9, 2024
The Gateway Fort Lauderdale
www.ParadigmCinemas.com
Big Easy Queens is a locally filmed full feature film. Filmed entirely in South Florida, the team is made up of Florida based artists and producers. Local producers include Ray Thivierge, Matthew Darren (DRock), Terry Hardacre, Steven Evans (OutClique), Marc Martorana, Wilton Manors City Commissioner Don D’Arminio, Rodney Tiedt, Rodney Turner, and Kevin and Geric Frost of St. Pete. The film is directed by theatre and film veteran Erynn Dalton and stars local known cabaret stars like Jennifer McClain, Alexander Zenoz, Suzie Toot, Varla Jean Merman/Jeffery Roberson Loe, and Miss Bouvèé.
OutClique editor and publisher Steven Evans PhD took a brief moment to sit with Miss Bouvèé, star of locally filmed full feature film Big Easy Queens. A lot has happened since OutClique’s cover issue (October 2023) and cast interviews by staff writer Denny Patterson’s feature in the same issue.
Steven Evans: It seems like a lifetime ago you filmed Big Easy Queens, but it only just premiered on August 11, 2023, at Popcorn Frights right here in Fort Lauderdale! What has been happening since?
Miss Bouvèé: It may seem like a lifetime to you all HA! But remember, I filmed this with the amazing team and Erynn Dalton in October of 2022! Since the premiere at Popcorn Frights in 2023, we have been on the North American film festival circuit. We played in Austin, Palm Springs, West Hollywood, Fresno, San Francisco, Tampa, Key West, North Carolina, Michigan, and a few more here in Lauderdale like OUTShine film festival and Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. Several of these, we were award winners at!
SE: So what is next?
MB: Well, now we wait for results of international festivals in places like Europe, Australia, and even as far as Hong Kong. These were all festivals that were finished by the time we premiered, so we are now in the eligibility window for the 2024 window. We have gotten into some, but I can’t share all that yet.
SE: And now a screening locally! Why?
MB: For a couple of reasons. First and foremost, everyone keeps asking when they can see the movie again!! That’s truly so amazing. I also think there is a group of people now interested in the film that never got the initial chance to see it, so we are offering up a chance now! I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Gateway for giving is this amazing opportunity to screen BEQ locally!
SE: And don’t you think it is so important to do that now in Florida?
MB: Exactly. As we approach Pride month, we have to remember that this film was filmed under some pretty strict anti-gay laws like “don’t say gay” and SB1438 which restricted drag in public. We weren’t even sure we could show up to the premiere in drag without getting the theatre in trouble.
SE: So why is this particular screening important to the film’s life?
MB: With all the awards we are getting at various festivals, we thought we would like to submit for the 2025 Spirit Awards. These are sort of like the Oscars for independent films. One of the requirements to be considered is a limited theatrical run. In doing so, we are obviously not ensured any nominations; but we can at least try right?
SE: Wow, that’s exciting!
MB: Yeah, again it doesn’t mean we will win anything or be nominated but as the saying goes, “if you want to win the lottery, you have to buy a ticket!”
SE: I saw you published some callbacks for people to try in the screenings! Very Rocky Horror Picture Show of you!!
MB: (Laughing) YEP! Almost all the critics that have reviewed us so far keep calling us the heir to that film and its camp culture. Some of the callbacks and games have actually stemmed from screenings at various festivals! They are just fun and I really hope people take the reins and run with it all!
SE: Awesome!! So, when do we get to see it in the comfort of our own homes?
MB: That all depends. Once we finish the festival circuit, we take stock of any and all awards and accolades the film has acquired in that time; that in turn helps us have stronger discussions with distributors.
SE: What does distribution mean?
MB: It can look like a lot of different things. Going straight to DVD isn’t really a thing much anymore, at least right now. So, my lucky guess is that we will be negotiating with streamers like Amazon or Netflix we hope. But there are so many options, we want to make sure we take the right path forward when that time comes. Heck, maybe even a theatrical release happens!
SE: How can people support in the meantime?
MB: First, hang in there! As I have said from the start, movies take TIME! Keep following us on all our social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram (@BigEasyQueens). If you like the movie, go and post about how much you liked it on those platforms. Right now, that’s the best way to help!!!
Set in the steamy, spooky underworld of New Orleans, Big Easy Queens is 80 minutes of pure queer horror comedy with original musical numbers, voodoo, zombies, and drag queens, oh my! After mob queen Minnie Bouvèé has her arch nemesis Poodles Makenzie’s crew brutally slaughtered, she braces for the blowback; what she doesn’t expect, however, is to be stalked by a creepy masked figure who leaves behind bouquets of gardenias and terrifying notes. Is this Poodles’ revenge, or the work of Minnie’s estranged sister who stole her man years ago and has suddenly reappeared in her life?
Big Easy Queens is playing at Gateway Theaters owned and operated by Paradigm Cinemas. Tickets can be purchased at www.paradigmcinemas.com. Screening times vary daily. This film is screening as a limited engagement May 3rd- May 9th, 2024.
