The GFF hosted a very special screening of John Waters’ fabulously filthy 1974 cult classic Female Trouble on Friday 8 March. The film follows anarchic anti-heroine Dawn (played by Divine, a Water’s mainstay) as she drops out of school, becomes pregnant, and joins the criminal underworld, all because her parents wouldn’t buy her a pair of cha cha heels for Christmas.
Female Trouble loses none if it’s shock and none of its transgressive, even 50 years on.
The “Pope of Trash”
Queer audiences found a home in the filmography of John Waters. Born in Baltimore, the openly gay Waters made a name for himself in the film industry with his underground films, featuring taboo subjects and unconventional stories. These often starred Goddess of Gross Divine and Water’s team of actors called the “Dreamlanders’’. Some of their most famous films include Multiple Maniacs and Pink Flamingos and of course Female Trouble.
Waters had a taste of mainstream success with his feature Hairspray, which even managed to inspire a hit Broadway musical.
However, Female Trouble is the perfect entry point to the director’s bold queer films.
Going underground
The film challenged norms, with topics such as crime, violence, and sexual deviance, and contained a strong feminist message. Dawn Davenport (Divine) defies societal expectations on women and is unapologetic in her identity. She challenges the system which objectifies women and takes control of her own destiny.
In addition, the underground culture it created gave queer audiences a safe community to come together and appreciate Waters’ art. Waters wasn’t interested in what a heteronormative world wanted and purposely made his work challenge it. It is renowned for its campy, over-the-top performances and absurdly grotesque sense of humour.
Scenes such as where Dawn violently pushes her mum into a Christmas tree and fights with her father are as disturbing as they are bizarre and comical. It’s an original style which challenges the audience to think about topics they otherwise wouldn’t.
Quite controversially, the film is dedicated to Charles “Tex” Watson. One of the Manson gang of murderers and includes an image of a model helicopter Watson made for Waters while in prison.
The film was also the last time that the Dreamland crew would work together, with follow-up Desperate Living void of Divine. However, she returned in 1981’s Polyester, produced by New Line Cinema, which seen Waters start to dapple with more mainstream success whilst sacrificing none of his campy charm.
Female Trouble is a one-of-a-kind feature that, looking past its surface shock value, is an important queer work that generations of young LGBT people will continue to enjoy.
Featured Images Credit: FILMGRAB
He/Him
Film & Media & Journalism Student
contact me: bem00218@students.stir.ac.uk
