BFI Opening Night Film!
CAN WE GET AN AMEN? Documentary HUNKY JESUS about an activist group of drag nuns has world premiere at 40th BFI Flare Festival in London on 18th March, producers unveil new images
New film tells the story of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and their infamous annual Easter Sunday tradition in San Francisco
23rd February - Tigerlily Pictures’ feature-length documentary Hunky Jesus, which has recently announced opening night feature of the 40th edition of the BFI Flare Festival, unveils previously unseen stills from the film ahead of its upcoming world premiere on 18th March in London.
Hunky Jesus captures San Francisco’s legendary, eponymous Easter celebration hosted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an order of queer and trans nuns who have spent more than four decades blending drag, performance activism and their irreverent wit to fight for social justice and equality. Hosted by the iconic Sister Roma and RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Honey Mahogany, Hunky Jesus showcases how the Sisters subvert expectations and confront oppressive systems within religious and conservative circles.
The film’s narrative unfolds over the 2023 Hunky Jesus Easter celebration event in San Francisco, weaving together rare archival material, theatrical visuals, vox pops and first-hand anecdotes. Presenting the Sisters as cultural trailblazers whose message of “radical joy” resonates at a moment of renewed global debate around identity, faith and freedom of expression. Actor George Takei partially narrates the film.
The annual Hunky Jesus celebration is an outdoor festival-style party in San Francisco with performance, drag, and a competition crowning the best ‘Hunky Jesus’ and ‘Foxy Mary’ from a line-up of feathery, sparkly and colourful Jesus and Mary impersonators from the public. The event footage is interspersed with interviews with the Sisters, their honorary Saints including Honey Mahogany as well as religious leaders Father Donal Godfrey and Sister Barbara Battista.
Hunky Jesus the film brings together an award-winning creative team: director Jennifer M. Kroot (Sundance premiered To Be Takei about actor and activist George Takei), producer Brian Benson (Dolores), Spirit Award-winning producer Gerry Kim (Oscar-shortlisted I’m No Longer Here). The original score is composed by Michael Hearst (Magic Camp, Chicken People) and the film’s editor is Bill Weber (To Be Takei, We Were Here).
The film’s world premiere will be held on 18th March at the BFI Southbank.