Fridae

Bliss has become a renowned LGBT advocate in Ireland over the last two years and from October 21 audiences can share in her story at the cinema.

Financed completely through a crowdfunding campaign which exceeded the €50,00 (£36,860.56, $55,952.50) goal, The Queen of Ireland looks at Bliss’s journey to activist and national treasure.

Panti Bliss is many things: part glamorous aunt, part Jessica Rabbit, she's a wittily incisive performer with charisma to burn who is regarded as one of the best drag queens in the world.

Created by Rory O’Neill, Panti is also an accidental activist and in her own words ‘a court jester, whose role is to say the un- sayable’. Over the last few years Rory has become a figurehead for LGBT rights in Ireland and since the recent scandal around Pantigate, his fight for equality and against homophobia has become recognised across the world.

THE QUEEN OF IRELAND is a documentary film that follows Rory’s journey from the small Mayo town of Ballinrobe to striding the world stage. The film takes us behind the scenes with his alter ego Panti in the year she became the symbol of Ireland’s march towards marriage equality.

Directed by Conor Horgan (One Hundred Mornings, Deep End Dance) and produced by Blinder Films (Citadel, One HundredMornings) the film builds build up a multi-faceted picture of a complex and compelling character through behind the scenes footage and interviews with friends, peers and protégés.

‘My job as a drag queen is to commentate from the fringes,’ Panti in the trailer. ‘To stand on the fringes, looking in, shouting abuse.’

Watch the official trailer here