Queer Cinema at Club Chrome

During Club Chrome, the cinema programme shines a spotlight on queer culture. Created in celebration of WorldPride, this special film programme explores the history, creativity and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community through cinema. From underground club scenes to chosen families and double lives, these stories are sometimes deeply moving and sometimes wrapped in the kind of dark humour only queer filmmakers can deliver.

Presented in collaboration with the colourful partners and collectives behind Club Chrome, the programme includes cult classics such as The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) and Death Becomes Her (1992), hosted by Drags of Anarchy ahead of We Are Them. Friends of FanClub Centrum welcome guest curators Joost van Bellen and Marije van der Made to share some of their favourite films. Special screenings connected to Rapido, Funhouse and Peaches offer fresh perspectives on the club nights and artists themselves. In short: there is something for everyone. Here are three films you won’t want to miss during Club Chrome this WorldPride.

No list of queer classics would be complete without this iconic road movie. Set in the Australian outback, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert follows two drag queens and a transgender woman as they travel across the country aboard their flamboyant bus, Priscilla. What begins as a performance booking evolves into a life-changing journey filled with prejudice, unexpected encounters and meaningful friendships. Beneath the glitter lies a story about loss, self-acceptance and belonging. Founder of Drags of Anarchy, Yildiz Siskens, will introduce the screening with a special talk ahead of We Are Them on 2 August. And if you’re still in the mood for more, stay seated for Death Becomes Her.

Every two months, FanClub Centrum invites a special Amsterdam-based guest to screen one of their favourite films, accompanied by a conversation about their choice. During Club Chrome, one of those guest curators is legendary DJ and long-time Melkweg favourite Joost van Bellen. His pick is Pink Flamingos, John Waters’ notorious cult classic from 1972. This black comedy follows drag icon Divine in her quest to be crowned “the filthiest person alive” in Baltimore. Fun fact: the original trailer featured no footage from the film itself, only reactions from audience members leaving the cinema in shock and disbelief.

Before Rapido and Funhouse transform Melkweg into a dazzling circus for their annual Pride Opening event, settle into the cinema for Birdcage. This beloved 1990s comedy follows Armand Goldman (Robin Williams), owner of a lively South Beach nightclub in Miami. Together with his partner Albert (Nathan Lane), whose drag persona Starina is the venue’s headline act, he enjoys a colourful and carefree life. Their world is turned upside down when Armand’s son becomes engaged to the daughter of an ultra-conservative senator. The result is a hilarious and heartfelt story about love, family, identity and the clash between two very different worlds. The screening will be introduced by Max Heldring and Nico van den Berg.

These screenings form part of Club Chrome, Melkweg’s multidisciplinary WorldPride festival where music, art and culture come together. Alongside these three queer classics, the film programme features many more highlights. From Teaches of Peaches to Death Becomes Her, explore the Club Chrome agenda for the full programme and discover everything WorldPride at Melkweg has to offer.