The timely documentary I’m Your Venus stands as an evocative rallying cry for equality and a powerful tribute to a life that was lost far too early.
Director: Kimberly Reed
Genre: Documentary
Run Time: 85′
Language: English
BFI London Film Festival Screening: October 10-13, 2024
U.S. Release Date: TBA
U.K. Release Date: TBA
There are many unforgettable moments and people in the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning: the various live drag ball performances; the documentary’s exploration of “voguing”; its remarkable portrayal of gender, sexuality and race; various House members such as Angie Xtravaganza and Pepper LaBeija. Another sparkling part was the late Venus Xtravaganza, who in I’m Your Venus now has a much-needed and timely spotlight shone on her incredible life.
Through archival footage from Paris Is Burning and current interactions with her biological and ballroom families, the Pellagattis and the Xtravaganzas, director Kimberly Reed (Dark Money) charts Venus’ legacy that continues to live on and inspire members of the LGBTQIA+ community around the world.
In Paris Is Burning, Venus refers to her grandmother, who essentially cares for her as a mother, but only briefly touches on her other family members, such as her three brothers, John, Joe and Louie (she also had a fourth brother, who passed away in 2005). In I’m Your Venus, the three brothers search for answers to Venus’ murder, which occurred during filming of Paris Is Burning and remains unsolved today. What begins as an investigative search, in which I’m Your Venus lurches a little uncomfortably through legal meetings and procedures, eventually morphs into a celebration of and testament to Venus’ life. As it states at the beginning, it is as much a search for how she died as it is for how she lived.
With this in mind, Reed impressively skirts between these contrasting emotions and motives. I’m Your Venus never dilutes the importance of getting justice that Venus deserves, but it is also conscious of mirroring that vigour and confidence that she had as a young adult. Along with the Pellagatti brothers, current members of the Xtravaganza family, such as the mother Gisele Xtravaganza, explore what made Venus so special as a human being. The journey also leads them to efforts such as changing Venus’ name legally, updating her gravestone, and making the house where she lived of historical importance in New Jersey.
In comparison to Paris Is Burning, I’m Your Venus is a very different piece of cinema. There is inevitably a slower pace to proceedings, and some of the more special moments of this new documentary come in re-edited footage of the original 1990 film. We see Venus in all her glory—wide-eyed, miraculously big hair, soft-spoken, positive about her future—and these serve to highlight the strength of Paris Is Burning and the weaker energy of I’m Your Venus. Whilst we are reminded how groundbreaking the first film was, we also become aware of I’m Your Venus’ shortcomings. Reed’s documentary doesn’t sparkle with any kind of notable style, which feels like a missed opportunity.
Furthermore, the Pellagatti brothers’ poor treatment of Venus in the 80s when she came out as transgender is alluded to and discussed briefly, such as with past Xtravaganza members, but Reed never quite interrogates this enough. Ultimately, however, that subject feels like it would need another film to delve into, and as both families come together, their differing pasts become overshadowed by their shared recognition of Venus as a woman and a sister. More widely, I’m Your Venus stands not just as a tribute to Venus, but as a message of hope to many. Recognising a house as a historical landmark or amending a death certificate is not just momentous for Venus and her families; it is also a vital step forward to help everyone in the world to be truly free.
The documentary will be screened at the BFI London Film Festival on October 10-13, 2024. Read our list of 30 movies to watch at the 2024 BFI London Film Festival!
