‘The Alexander Ball’ Showcases The Secret World Of Australian Ballroom Culture
One of first documentaries that give audiences a glimpse into ballroom culture in Meanjin (Brisbane).
The Alexander Ball is a new documentary offering audiences a glimpse into Meanjin’s glittering ballroom scene, and the trans people of colour who are very much the vanguards of this space.
Many of us know that ballroom originated as a queer subculture among Black and Latinx folks in NYC in a response to discrimination from the LGBTQIA community; offering a safe haven for people to unapologetically flaunt their authentic selves.
But fewer have heard that the movement has spread to all the way down to Meanjin (Brisbane), where queer folks, particularly trans Pasifika women, are pioneering a relatively new ballroom scene where queer bodies of all shapes and sizes and all identities within the gender spectrum can find belonging, acceptance, and joy.
Available to watch on SBS On Demand, The Alexander Ball offers a look into the hypnotising world of ballroom that follows Samoan-Maori-Australian trans woman Ella Ganza, and Bidjara and Kullani man Joshua Taliani, as they prepare for one of the country’s biggest pride events of the year: The Alexander Ball.
While ballroom culture in the US has been fairly well-documented, The Alexander Ball is the first documentary to showcase the work and lives of trans women of colour here in Australia, many of whom trace their roots to the Pacific Islands where homosexuality remains illegal in many countries.
Ballroom has gained more mainstream attention since the recent release of Beyoncé’s incredible new album Renaissance; not to mention ground-breaking TV shows like Legendary and Pose, so we’re excited to see what Ballroom looks like a little closer to home.
Catch The Alexander Ball on SBS On Demand now.
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