For Pride Day: Contemplate “Enigma”

Today is Pride Day in NYC — I was going to march in the parade this afternoon with the Lambs, but a hot tooth is keeping me anchored to the domicile. In lieu, I offer this plug for Zachary Drucker’s fascinating new documentary Enigma, accessible on Max.

The title for the film comes from a 1978 Amanda Lear song, and it fits the theme of the movie, but it does make googling a challenge (there are many movies by that title). Enigma is about several pioneering trans women, although one of the key subjects, model and pop star Lear denies she’s any such thing. The film focuses on her and British tabloid star April Ashley, as well as others of their generation such as Coccinelle, Capucine (not the movie star), Kiki Moustic, and others who came out of the Paris drag cabaret scene in the 1950s and ’60s at clubs like Carrousel and Madame Arthur. It is plausibly asserted and widely believed that Lear is the same person as Peki d’Oslo, a performer from that era, and that Salvador Dali (Lear’s close friend and confidante) funded a sex change in Morocco. Lear remains admirably Sphinx-like (to reference another of her songs) in her refusal to cop to what most believe to be the truth. She insists she has always been biologically female, though the evidence to the contrary is pretty substantial. It’s very hard to remain a mystery in the information age, but I salute her for trying. (Lear is suing the filmmakers, btw).

As to the ethics of outing, I won’t step into that minefield! Not for me to opine! I’m just an ally. And toward that end, I refer you the over 270 articles on LGBTQ related subjects here on Travalanche. I urge you to browse through it — it’s blossomed into quite a boutique!