Celebrate found family with a documentary screening in partnership with Nelson Pride.Documentary Screening - Carmen: The Life Story of Carmen Rupe, from material preserved and made available by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.
Overview from NZ On Screen Iwi Whitiāhua –
“In more repressed times, Carmen was one of Aotearoa's most colourful and controversial figures. Geoff Steven's documentary traces the life story of the transgender icon, who was born in Taumarunui in 1936. She went on to become a dancer, sex worker, cafe owner, activist, local celebrity — and one of the few non-MPs to appear before the Privileges Committee. Through telling Carmen's story, Steven shines a light on a bygone era of queer culture in New Zealand, especially that of trans women. The documentary also finds time for several ethereal fantasy sequences, featuring Georgina Beyer and Neil Gudsell (aka Mika).
I wanted to make her accessible to the general public. People may not like what she stands for. But I hope they will see her as a person and not as the personification of evil. – Director Geoff Steven in The NZ Herald, 20 September 1989, Section 2, Page 3”
Event Venue
27 Halifax Street, Nelson, New Zealand 7010, New Zealand
