Not Simply Divine

Better known as his drag-wearing persona Divine than as a multifaceted actor, the late Harris Glenn Milstead spent the latter half of his short but notorious career trying to prove that he was more than just a queen. That effort is chronicled in I Am Divine, a documentary showcasing Milstead’s...

By Bree Davies

January 16, 2014

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Better known as his drag-wearing persona Divine than as a multifaceted actor, the late Harris Glenn Milstead spent the latter half of his short but notorious career trying to prove that he was more than just a queen. That effort is chronicled in I Am Divine, a documentary showcasing Milstead’s hysterical on-screen genius and peeling back the lipstick facade to reveal a side that many fans never knew.

“The thing with Divine is that he committed 100 percent to every role that he took; there was never any hesitation,” says Mink Stole, an actor who co-starred with Milstead in many now-cult classic films by director John Waters. Tracing his early life in Baltimore through to his last days on the verge of mainstream-television stardom, the story of Divine/Milstead is told by his family, close friends, lovers and, especially, his fellow film stars.

I Am Divine opens tonight at the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 East Colfax Avenue; tickets are $7 to $10. And the Sie will also host a late-January series of Waters films starring Divine, including Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Polyester and Hairspray; go to denverfilm.org for details.
Jan. 17-23, 2014

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Bree Davies is a multimedia journalist, artist advocate and community organizer born and raised in Denver. Rooted in the world of Do-It-Yourself arts and music, Davies co-founded Titwrench experimental music festival, is host of the local music and comedy show Sounds on 29th on CPT12 Colorado Public Television and is creator and host of the civic and social issue-focused podcast, Hello? Denver? Are You Still There? Her work is centered on a passionate advocacy for all ages, accessible, inclusive, non-commercial and autonomous DIY art spaces and music venues in Denver.

Contact: Bree Davies

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Twitter: @cocodavies