“Queer Genius” captures artists in their element, like capturing a dream. "
Alex Smith, PGN
“The footage is raw, visceral and expansive, covering not only the innovative work of these artists but also capturing their reflections and vulnerabilities in beautiful ways.”
Neha Mulay for Honeysuckle Magazine
"Effortlessly multigenerational, interdisciplinary, and diverse in scope, QUEER GENIUS peers into the lives of five virtuosos who have challenged artistic formalism, gender roles, and heterosexism without apology in both their private lives and creative practices.”
NewFest
"Galvanizing... What emerges is an inspiring portrait of provocative and legendary artists-activists."
QUEER GENIUS explores the remarkable lives of five queer female artists: Barbara Hammer, Eileen Myles, Black Quantum Futurism, Moor Mother, and Dynasty Handbag / Jibz Cameron.
Deep, affectionate, and intimate portraits resonate across generation as critically acclaimed and notoriously radical queer artists overcome personal and political obstacles to find new ways to live and share visionary creative practices.
Email to learn more & book the film - chet.pancake @ gmail.com
“The footage is raw, visceral and expansive, covering not only the innovative work of these artists but also capturing their reflections and vulnerabilities in beautiful ways. Watching the film, one is always keenly aware of the fact that these are personas that possess multiple layers of complexity. It is this capturing of personal lives that makes the film so engaging."
"Defying Narratives in "Queer Genius" - Neha Mulay for Honeysuckle Magazine (Nov 2019)
"Exquisite"
Frances Wallace, Executive Director, Frameline Film Festival
"Effortlessly multigenerational, interdisciplinary, and diverse in scope, QUEER GENIUS peers into the lives of five virtuosos who have challenged artistic formalism, gender roles, and heterosexism without apology in both their private lives and creative practices. Charts the robust family tree of the lesbian and queer avant-garde across six decades."
HBO’s NewFest Program
Chet Pancake / Director’ Statement
"Queer Genius" is a creative documentary featuring fine artist portraits of QPOC & GLBTQ Female experimental artists. The film examines each artist’s creative life, personal challenges, and asks the provocative question “what is genius?” Each subject provides a unique and personal perspective on new ways to think about and subvert the concept of what visionary practices mean from a queer, female, fine arts perspective discussing and preserving queer female avant garde legacies across generation. Supported by Edes Foundation (School of the Art Institute of Chicago) Leeway Foundation Transformation Award, Leeway Art & Social Change Grants, Temple University Presidential Humanities Grants.