Jennifer Kroot’s Hunky Jesus is full of defiance and radical joy
BY NIC CROSARA, STILLS COURTESY OF TIGERLILY PICTURES
Ever since it burst onto the scene in 1986, BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival has spotlighted and championed queer cinema and filmmakers. The hugely anticipated 40th edition of the fest is returning to BFI Southbank from 18 to 29 March. BFI Flare’s opening night galas are much-loved by attendees; previous opening night galas have included films such as Andrew Ahn’s The Wedding Banquet, Amrou Al-Kadhi‘s Layla and Alek Keshishian’s Love And Other Disasters. It feels fitting that audiences will get to see the world premiere of the riotous documentary Hunky Jesus, directed by Jennifer Kroot, at this year’s gala (Wednesday 18 March).
This feature-length documentary tells the story of San Francisco’s wildly popular Easter Sunday tradition, known as Hunky Jesus. The event is hosted by the legendary drag and activist group, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. It’s a defiant expression of community, performance and radical joy. Hosted by SPI icon, Sister Roma and RuPaul’s Drag Race Alum Honey Mahogany, this doc showcases a series of burlesque and drag performances. Audiences will also see themed contests that mix satire, celebration and social commentary. With so many in our community reporting feeling a sense of hopelessness at the moment, this screening couldn’t be more perfectly timed. It’s so important to see radical queer joy in the face of oppression.
Audiences will be left wowed by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s performance activism. Their power and impact go beyond their striking aesthetics. The Sisters have been at the forefront of social justice activism. They have confronted oppressive systems and ideologies, particularly within religious and conservative circles. Over the years, the Sisters have also ordained hundreds of people as saints who have served the LGBTQIA+ community, including Harvey Milk, Derek Jarman, George Takei and Rosie O’Donnell. Suffice to say, this documentary is jam-packed full of queerstory and is the perfect film to open up this anniversary edition of the beloved film festival.
Jennifer Kroot (pictured above) has said: “I’m thrilled to premiere Hunky Jesus as the opening night film of the 40th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival! I can’t wait to introduce Londoners to San Francisco’s legendary Easter Sunday tradition, hosted by the iconic Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. What a delight to export a little irreverence (and a lot of joy) from the US, tariff-free!”
The 40th edition of BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival runs from 18 to 29 March 2026 at BFI Southbank. The programme will be revealed on 17 February. You can find out more at whatson.bfi.org.uk.
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