Watch The Queen of Ireland

The Queen of Ireland is a documentary film that was released in 2015. Directed by Conor Horgan, the film tells the story of drag queen Panti Bliss (aka Rory O'Neill) and her journey towards becoming an icon for the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland. The film begins with Panti's performance in a Dublin nightclub and then moves on to trace her life story, from her childhood in rural Ireland to her first drag performance in Tokyo. Panti herself provides much of the narration, as she recounts her experiences of growing up gay in a conservative Irish society.

The film also explores the wider context of Ireland's struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. Through interviews with campaigners, politicians and other figures, we learn about the country's history of homophobia and the efforts made to change this. We see archival footage of protests, rallies and other demonstrations, including those that led up to the successful 2015 referendum on same-sex marriage.

Throughout the film, we see Panti as both performer and activist. We watch as she puts on a series of shows, from small-scale gigs in Dublin pubs to a massive performance in the Abbey Theatre, one of Ireland's most prestigious cultural institutions. Alongside this, we see her campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights and promoting awareness about issues such as HIV/AIDS.

One of the key themes of the film is the idea of "difference" and what it means to be an outsider in a society that prizes conformity. Panti talks about her experiences of feeling different from a young age, and the struggle she faced in coming to terms with her sexuality. Through her drag performances, Panti found a way to express herself and connect with others who felt similarly marginalized. As she says in the film, "To be different is not wrong; it's just different."

The Queen of Ireland is a powerful film that explores important themes of identity, acceptance and activism. Through Panti's story, we see the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland and the progress that has been made towards greater equality. The film also celebrates the power of individual courage and creativity in bringing about social change. As Panti puts it at the end of the film, "I suppose it's kind of liberating, in a way, to be yourself. And I think everybody should try it."

In conclusion, The Queen of Ireland is a must-watch documentary for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ rights, activism or Irish society more generally. With its mix of personal testimony, historical context and electrifying performance footage, the film provides a moving and inspiring portrait of one of Ireland's most beloved figures.

The Queen of Ireland is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.