Films A to Z

Runtime:

83 min.

Year of Production:

2016

Country:

Netherlands/ Belgium

Director:

Ester Gould
Reijer Zwaan

Production Company:

CTM Docs

Berlinale Section:

Panorama

For her ‘Blond Ambition’ tour in 1990, pop superstar Madonna was looking for performers who knew how to vogue. Out of countless hopefuls, the gay dancers Salim, Kevin, Carlton, José, Luis and Gabriel were chosen along with breakdancer Oliver, the only straight guy. The tour was accompanied by a film crew and Madonna cast herself in the role of mother figure of her stage family. The boys soon found fans among homosexual youths who saw them as role models, while the tour came to epitomise Madonna’s commitment to gay liberation and the acknowledgement of AIDS. But the idyll fell apart when Gabriel, Kevin and Oliver sued against their involuntary outing as gay men brought about by the film In Bed with Madonna. In 1995 Gabriel died of AIDS-related illness, while the others continued to pursue their professional careers. Now, twenty-five years after their time together, the six surviving performers are reunited and long-buried secrets are aired. The filmmakers excel at telling the stories of these very different dancers whilst carefully calling into question the official version of events in order to edge closer to the truth.

BIOGRAFIE Ester Gould

FILMOGRAFIE Ester Gould (selection)

2016 Strike a Pose  2015 A Strange Love Affair With Ego  2013 Tough Cookies   2012 Cathleen's Turn  2010 Starring David  2010 Shout  2009 Still Going Strong  2008 Sick of it All  2007 Soy Optimista  2007 50 Cents  2005 Adrenaline 

BIOGRAFIE Reijer Zwaan

FILMOGRAFIE Reijer Zwaan (selection)

2016 Strike a Pose 

Trailer
Interview with Ester Gould, Reijer Zwar and Luis

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