Growing up gay in the South can be rough, trust us, but when you’re raised in the Southern Baptist church there’s plenty of drama in store. Writer/director Del Shores, whose comedy Sordid Lives remains a bona fide cult phenom, mines this fertile territory for the film version of his acclaimed play Southern Baptist Sissies, which keeps the original theatrical constructs of the play intact, shooting it for 10 days before live audiences.
To bring the sturm und drang to the big screen, Shores enlisted many of his rep players, including Leslie Jordan, Dale Dickey, Ann Walker and to play “Benny, the biggest sissy of all,” the filmmaker cast Drag Race fave Willam Belli. The film opens in select theaters February 21.
SteveDenver
This was a fun stage show, but Del Shores once again brings a stage version to screen and it looks dreadful. I didn’t care for the film version of SORDID LIVES, it needs an audience. I say “version” because it wasn’t an adaptation, but a filmed play. It looks like he’s done the same here.
LadywithaLamp
@SteveDenver: Yes there is a fine line between cheese and camp and this looks like a big chunk of Limburger.
blondeboyz
Leslie Jordan is our guest performer on RSVP gay cruise next week. Really look forward to seeing him.
Spike
@LadywithaLamp: Intentional ‘camp’ on film typically fails, it’s when it’s not intended to be be camp that it succeeds, Mommy Dearest . . . Striptease . . .
Jackhoffsky
@SteveDenver: Thank you Steve. I think a good comparison would be Robert Harling with Steel Magnolias giving the story over to Herbert Ross to direct the movie, turning a stationary linear narrative stage play into a rounded, encompassing, and engaging film. Stage and screen take two very different sets of eye to envision.
Del Shores wrote (and directed) an amazing play in Sordid Lives. He directing the movie was such a mistake, in my opinion. I totally understand the ‘not giving up one’s work’ and trusting someone else with your work. But at some point you just have to trust professionals in the field. For that, I anxiously await the remake of “Southern Baptist Sissies.”
(Although, truth be told, I will probably watch it just for the fantastic Leslie Jordan… lol.)
cynsan
Great play, great film. NOTHING at all like Sordid Lives, In fact, it’s nothing at all like anything you’ve seen before. I’ve seen it at three festivals, and it always wins the audience awards.
asby
i can not even get by the lead guys haircut…it is like when u see some 45 year old trying to look like some twink outta high school
Merv
I’d like to see this. I was fortunate to grow up in a part of the country without a strong Christian presence, but the subject of gay people in church interests me. Christianity is such an awful religion, but even many gay people remain blind to this and stick with the church, despite being the target of their hatred and scorn.
Ogre Magi
YUCK! I saw this play and I hated it ! I have noting in common with people who (to quote one loathsome character) “Got woken up by a thunder clap and are afraid it is the Rapture” People like this are what make the South such a rotten place to live.
jimstoic
Love the concept; hated the execution. It looks like something made as kickstarter demo for a real film.
inbama
Bitchy, bitchy…
DvdCarlton
This is a must see for all LGBT people!