Reflective Encounters

“With the increasing popularity of drag, it’s strange that queens have garnered greater publicity than kings. That’s where Janina Smith (they/them) comes in, celebrating the art of drag from a non-binary perspective and making beautiful mockery of socially-imposed gender roles. Their optimism and solidarity with other artists proves inspirational, especially when the film highlights the lack of care offered by the Conservative government to the creative arts.

Man Up in Lockdown is a very personal documentary that allows Janina to extol the virtues of live performance while adjusting to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their creative and original approach to continuing their drag act from home is incredibly inspiring, combining their drag persona of Richard Energy with ingenious editing and visual effects.

This short film opens up questions about the potential of modern technology for drag as a creative medium. The popularity and success of Janina’s act online suggests that there is a large audience for drag kings in the mainstream, with video increasing accessibility to live theatre. Janina’s timely reflections also speak to the broader impact of the pandemic on artists and creative individuals who rely upon live audiences, both financially and for support and camaraderie.”

— Lillian Crawford