In defiance of Russia’s anti-LGBTQ laws, a queer 21-year-old artist risks her life performing in surreal costumes made of junk and tape throughout Moscow. Jenna Marvin’s radical public performances blend artistry and activism in this SXSW documentary. Born and raised on the harsh streets of Magadan, a frigid outpost of the Soviet gulag, Jenna stages radical performances in public that become a new form of art and activism. By doing that, she seeks to change people’s perception of beauty and queerness and bring attention to the harassment of the LGBTQ+ community. The performances—often dark, strange, evocative, and queer at their core—are a manifestation of Jenna’s subconscious. But they come with a price…
Queendom was shortlisted for the Best Documentary Feature for the 2025 Oscars.