Queendom

Gena was raised by her grandparents in the Soviet-era industrial city of Magadan. It’s far from being a compatible environment for an artist like Gena, as seen in footage of her teetering across the frozen ground in mega-heels and white face paint. She leaves to study in Moscow, but her radical performances and otherworldly costumes aren’t tolerated in the Russian capital either. She’s expelled, and now faces military conscription – just as the conflict in Ukraine looms. Queer Russian filmmaker Agniia Galdanova filmed Gena over four years, skilfully capturing both the defiance and vulnerability of this vibrant young activist.