Directed by Franco di Chiera
Mario Mieli once said, ‘There is more to be learned from wearing a dress for a day, than there is from wearing a suit for life.’ Tito Leduc, Neil Hansen and Mauro Bronchi (a Mexican, an Australian and an Italian) were three men in drag who gave one of the world’s most Catholic nation something to smile about at a time of tremendous social and political unrest. In Italy in the turbulent 1970s they became The Flag Sisters with a reputation for irreverent behaviour. The Vatican was none too pleased, but the Flag Sisters appeared, nevertheless, in films and on primetime television as the exploits of their numerous national tours added spice to the pages of the popular press.
Thirty years later, The Flag Sisters live on, their clips are regularly played on television, their music on radio and they are considered national treasures by many of those who experienced their artistry. The trio never imagined that their enduring fame would come via wigs and outrageous frocks, but as the first gender benders on Italian television, their unique form of satire was embraced by the population at large, including the intellectuals.
Through reunions and interviews, and the extensive use of archival television and film footage, The Fabulous Flag Sisters is not only a candid exploration of the drag phenomenon but a revealing record of Italy’s turbulent years, when a conservative society was confronted and transformed. The world premiere of The Fabulous Flag Sisters runs from March 27 – April 2 at Luna Outdoors. The opening night event is a Q&A session with director Franco di Chiera and Neil Hansen (with food and beer for only $8.50).
