Susanne Bartsch: On Top

Susanne Bartsch: On Top is a riveting 2017 documentary that takes its audience behind the scenes of New York City's vibrant underground nightlife. The film stars the irrepressible Susanne Bartsch, a well-known nightlife impresario credited with throwing some of the most epic parties in the Big Apple from the 1980s through today. Co-starring is Hector Xtravaganza, a renowned figure in the ballroom scene and one of Bartsch's closest collaborators.

Produced by Jennifer Euston and Michael Seligman, and directed by Anthony&Alex, the film explores Bartsch's influence on pop culture, fashion, and activism. The directors brilliantly take us through the rise, fall, and resurgence of New York's party scene and how Bartsch has remained the queen of this domain. They also build a thoughtful narrative around her personal life, lending depth to the frequently glamorous – and sometimes outrageous – spectacle of her professional exploits.

The film delves into Bartsch's early life in Switzerland, where she grew up rebelling against conformity. It was in 1970s London that she found her creative niche amid the vibrant punk scene. This newfound aesthetic, combined with wild nights at NYC clubs during the early 1980s, would go on to shape her successful party-promoting career. Susanne Bartsch: On Top illustrates how she took the energy and creativity she experienced in these places and channeled them into her extravagant, self-curated events in New York City. Bartsch became known for building spaces where everyone-feel welcome regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or background.

Bartsch's parties have always been, in essence, performance art pieces rife with over-the-top outfits, avant-garde makeup, and gender-bending creative expression. The film does a fabulous job showcasing these aesthetics; it presents a visual feast that captures the exuberant nature of Bartsch's world. From the drag queens' sparkling gowns to Bartsch's own fantastical get-ups, each frame of the film screams color, imagination, and boldness.

Equally important, Susanne Bartsch: On Top isn’t just a film about New York nightlife. It also celebrates Bartsch's tireless activism and philanthropic efforts during the height of the AIDS epidemic. The audience gets to see how Bartsch used her platform to raise awareness and fundraise for people living with HIV/AIDS. Notably, Bartsch organized the first Love Ball, a voguing competition and gala, in 1989 to benefit the Design Industry Foundation for AIDS. The Love Ball became a significant charity event, drawing support from heavy-hitters in the fashion industry and raising millions of dollars.

Portrait of Hector Xtravaganza, a legendary member of the House of Xtravaganza and a prominent figure in the Ballroom scene, adds an extra flavor to Bartsch's layered story. The camaraderie between Bartsch and Hector, their shared passion for creating safe, liberating spaces for the LGBTQ+ community, forms a significant strand within the narrative.

Despite the brightly lit parties and effervescent costumes, the film doesn't shy away from tackling some of the more bittersweet elements in Bartsch's life. It delves into her relationships, notably her marriage to gym impresario David Barton and the complexities of raising their son, Bailey, in such an unconventional world. Susanne Bartsch: On Top effectively balances these poignant moments with its upbeat, larger-than-life aesthetics creating an engaging narrative.

Interviews with luminaries such as RuPaul, Simon Doonan, Bill Cunningham, and It costar Amanda Lepore add depth to this engaging biographical profile. These testimonials underline Bartsch's ability to inspire individuality, underline her role as a stalwart ally for the LGBTQ+ community, and highlight her indelible imprint on nightlife culture.

Susanne Bartsch: On Top is a roller coaster ride through the colorful world of New York City's nightlife scene, as seen through the eyes of one if its most seminal figures. It's a vibrant, visually stunning tribute to a woman who has consistently advocated for self-expression and acceptance in an arena defined by transformative glamor and limitless creativity. The movie is a vivid, witty, and deeply insightful exploration of the woman behind the parties, her struggles and triumphs, and the iconic influence she has wielded over the past four decades in the world's most fabulous city.