The Cockettes

The Cockettes is a captivating 2002 documentary that effectively explores and chronicles the vibrant, flamboyant world of San Francisco's iconic hippie drag troupe during the height of the counterculture movement in the late 1960s and the early 1970s. Directed by Bill Weber and David Weissman, this film features unforgettable personalities like Larry Brinkin and Peggy Cass, alongside the unforgettable and radiant Cockettes, crafting an atmosphere filled with zest, celebration and political subversion.

The Cockettes effectively captures the pulsing energy and eccentric spirit of this legendary troupe. It presents a vivid picture of a new form of radical expression and a breach from the typical, shedding light on the counterculture that heralded the origins of avant-garde performance art and political activism. The film takes viewers on a trip back to San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district, where the Cockettes' theatrical productions are introduced – they are enchanting yet provocative pieces blending parody, gender fluidity, flamboyance, psychedelic experimentation, and a searing desire for social and sexual transformations.

Intriguingly, this documentary delivers rich character studies of the troupe's magnetic members, including Larry Brinkin, now an acclaimed civil rights advocate, and Peggy Cass, a celebrated TV and stage actress. It explores the diversity within their tight-knit group, a collection of artists, performers, models and drag queens, who united under their search for creative expression and their desire to disrupt social norms.

The journey of The Cockettes does not shy away from presenting the euphoric highs and crashing lows of their journey. From their early days performing free shows at the Palace Theater to their high-octane New York City tour, the progression of this pioneering group is explored in candid interviews, never-before-seen footage and intimate photographs. The whirl of sequins, feathers, and glitter that defined their life, their unabashed flaunting of gender roles, and the challenges they navigated in the face of a transitioning cultural landscape are seen.

As well as displaying the cultural shift spearheaded by the troupe, the film equally delves into personal triumphs and tribulations. It explores how drug use, sociopolitical tension, and the burgeoning AIDS crisis impacted the Cockettes and their immediate community. Their visionary leader, Hibiscus, a figure of inspiration and resilience, is portrayed with warmth and depth, showcasing his irreplaceable role in the emergence of the troupe.

The Cockettes also gives notable attention to the troupe's influence on popular culture. Interviews with counterculture commentators, cultural historians, and popular figures like John Waters offer an insight into how the group's flamboyant performance style and unabashed embrace of their individualities inspired and shaped generations of artists and entertainers. The documentary explores the mainstream appropriation of the Cockettes’ pioneering flair, hinting at their legacy in today’s music, fashion, and LGBTQ+ scenes.

The directors' authentic, intimate interviewing style, combined with the film's wide array of archival footage and irresistible soundtrack filled with the troupe's original songs, all contribute to a truly immersive, descriptive, and honest portrayal of the Cockettes' journey. These elements help to tell their unique story and offer a vivid image of the group's iconic presence in the counterculture movement.

In essence, The Cockettes is not just a documentary—it's a celebration of a vibrant, radical, and highly influential fraction of the counterculture movement of the '60s and '70s. It pays tribute to a community that challenged norms, presented life as a theatrical, extravagant show, and left an indelible mark on popular culture. This movie is recommended for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ history, drag culture, the counterculture movement, social activism, or for those who simply love to dive into uncommonly told stories about bold characters who dared to defy conventions in the pursuit of freedom and self-expression.