The Mermaids from Dieppe
What a pleasure it was to attend the premiere of the documentary Les Sirènes de Dieppe at the Max Linder yesterday morning! An hour in the company of the drag performers of the Sirène à Barbe cabaret: the backstage, the camaraderie, the financial struggles, the fight against intolerance, and a bit of musical comedy. A film as accomplished as its subject is unexpected.
From left to right: Claire Babany (producer), Raphaël Bancou (composer), Fabienne Thibeault (godmother), Diva Beluga (performer and owner), Lily (performer), Nicolas Birkenstock and Nicolas Engel (filmmakers), and I can't remember the rest.
My composer friend Raphaël Bancou – whom I'd reconnected with after 10 years on that occasion – wrote the music. More on him soon.
If you're interested, the film by the two Nicolas (Birkenstock and Engel) will be available on replay starting September 19th on France TV, don't miss it. And if you're ever in Dieppe, go see the show!