Challenging the Russian Government: The Provocative Street Performances of a Queer Artist
A captivating documentary chronicles the extraordinary odyssey of Gena Marvin, a non-binary artist challenging the Russian government through audacious street performances Forced to escape their small-town origins, Gena's story explores resilience, identity, and the power of artistic defiance
Gena Marvin, with her white-painted face and head, is dressed in all-white except for long black gloves and enormous black platform stiletto boots. Teetering on snow-covered rocks, she strikes a pose for a photograph as the sea ripples gently in the background behind her contorted figure, frozen in the arctic chill.
This dramatic scene sets the stage for the new documentary "Queendom," which chronicles the journey of the queer Russian performance artist as she creates thought-provoking artwork that challenges societal norms and political situations, and the opposition she encounters as a result.
Marvin showcases her ethereal costumes, crafted from found materials like wire and tape, and complements her look with bold, alien-like makeup. She fearlessly pushes the boundaries of her body in public performances, frequently taking to the streets of Moscow in open defiance of the Russian government's restrictions.
The queer Russian artist has been subjected to threats and physical abuse for her activism.
Courtesy Dogwoof
Despite their risks, including physical violence, threats, and homophobic abuse, Marvin's performances and existence as a queer person are impactful. Following a photoshoot in Magadan, Marvin is escorted out of a local supermarket in her hometown by security guards who accuse her of disturbing the peace and tell her to stay out of the store. The portraits showcase young people who are proud of their Native identity, even if others fail to recognize it.
Marvin uses another performance to wrap herself in the colors of the Russian flag and participate in an anti-police protest advocating for the release of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. As a result, Genas is expelled from their college in Moscow for expressing dissent against the government. Despite the risks, Marvin, who identifies as non-binary, remains defiant and continues to pursue their art. "Whenever I embody my character, I feel invincible. No one, not even here in Russia, can intimidate me. I am like a knight in shining armor," they express in the film, which made its debut at SXSW and has gone on to win awards at film festivals in Copenhagen and London.
Queendom also examines Marvin's struggles for acceptance within her own family.
Courtesy of Dogwoof.
Originally intending to create a story about Russia's drag community with multiple protagonists, filmmaker Agniia Galdanova changed her approach after meeting Gena. "I quickly realized I didn't need another protagonist," Galdanova said in a video interview with CNN. "The idea was to bring onto the screen the story of people who really have no voice in Russia, not just to point out social problems, but also to celebrate queerness and to show the beauty of this world."
Marvin explained in an interview, via translator, that the goal was to truly convey the love, art, freedom, and resilience of those who have been silenced.
This becomes especially urgent in the current hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia. The government has recently enacted a ban on same-sex marriage, labeled LGBT+ organizations as "foreign agents," and implemented the "gay propaganda law," which prohibits any mention of LGBTQ+ topics in the media. Additionally, the Supreme Court has deemed the "international LGBT public movement" an extremist organization, putting LGBT activists at risk of criminal prosecution despite the lack of such an organization.
With Queendom, filmmaker Agniia Galdanova wanted to "bring onto the screen the story of people who really have no voice in Russia."
Courtesy of Dogwoof
Marvin endures hate and intolerance in various forms throughout the film, from physical abuse in public to disapproval from her grandparents for not choosing a traditional career path. The complex dynamic of their relationship is a crucial aspect that Galdanova believed needed to be emphasized in the film.
The Japanese photographer celebrates the sense of community in rural America.
Reflecting on her relationship with her grandfather, Marvin expressed, "I think about our relationship as a universal story that happens a lot. A queer person is born into the family, and slowly the relationship becomes better but never to the point of full acceptance, and that's a reality in Russia unfortunately. What I find strength in, and where I see the light, is the fact that while my grandparents and I are very different, love connects us. I see love coming from my grandfather, and I'm sure he sees love coming from my side too. But I understand we will still be in the darkness because he will never understand truly who I am."
"Whenever I go out in character, Im on top of the world. No-one, even here in Russia, can scare me. Im like a knight in armor," says Marvin in the film.
Courtesy Dogwoof
Filming for "Queendom" coincided with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in April 2021. The film captures Marvin's involvement in anti-war protests, her arrest, and subsequent court summons for evading the military draft, which was a pivotal moment for her. "I realized the gravity of the situation. I didn't want to be imprisoned or partake in the war and harm others. That was not an option," Marvin stated, detailing her decision to cut ties with her grandparents for their safety. In April 2022, Marvin relocated to Paris and has since been granted asylum. She has established a new life and community there and recently participated in Paris Fashion Week for Chinese label Windowsen.
While the focus of the film is on Marvin's journey from Magadan to Moscow, and eventually Paris, she and Galdanova emphasize that the broader issues raised in the film are universal. "The film is not solely about my personal experience, or about me. It's much larger: it encompasses a diverse spectrum of queer experiences. It speaks to the fact that a traumatized generation had to raise individuals like us, which was incredibly challenging," Marvin explains.
Queendom is more than just a personal story. The film examines the "whole spectrum of queer experience," said Marvin.
Courtesy Dogwoof
Galdanova originally intended to make this film for a Russian audience, but she now hopes that people outside the country will gain greater awareness of the situation for Russia's queer community. The film also reflects the impact of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation on family members, including her own grandparents. Galdanova sees the film as a document and record of that time, showing what it was like in the past, how it is now, and how it affects those who unfortunately have to flee the country. QUEENDOM is now available in the UK and Ireland, and information about future releases can be found here.
