June, 2024 Doc of the Month: Workhorse Queen (2021)
June is PRIDE MONTH and we’re recognizing our LGBTQIA+ friends with a 2021 documentary feature from visionary multimedia artist Angela Washko. Workhorse Queen (2021) is the story of a 40-something telemarketer who discovered a true passion that would change his life forever.
Workhorse Queen (2021)
Directed by Angela Washko • 1h 28m
From the Workhorse Queen website:
By day, Ed Popil worked as the manager of a telemarketing center in post-industrial Rochester, New York for 18 years. By night, he transformed into drag queen Mrs. Kasha Davis. Not your average aspiring pop star drag queen, Mrs. Kasha Davis is a 1960’s era housewife trying to liberate herself from domestic toil through performing at night in secret – an homage to Ed’s own mother. After seven years of auditioning to compete on reality television show RuPaul’s Drag Race, Ed Popil was finally cast onto the show and thrust into a full time entertainment career at the late age of 44.
Workhorse Queen is a documentary film exploring the complexities of mainstream television’s impact on queer performance culture. In addition to following Ed’s life and career before and after being cast onto RuPaul’s Drag Race, the film focuses on the growing divide between members of a small town drag community – those who have been on television, and those who have not. Throughout the film Ed Popil navigates the exciting highs and devastating lows of pursuing the fame promised by a reality television platform. With one foot inching toward Hollywood’s doorstep and the other cemented firmly within her beloved Rochester community, Mrs. Kasha Davis finds a surprising new audience at home as she works toward becoming the queer role model for children that Ed didn’t have and desperately wanted growing up.
WATCH THE TRAILER
How to watch Workhorse Queen
Workhorse Queen is available to rent or buy on several platforms.
Amazon - $0.99 to rent, $1.99 to buy at the time of this posting
Apple - $0.99 to rent, $1.99 to buy at the time of this posting
Google - $1.99 to rent, $4.99 to buy at the time of this posting
It is currently available on the following free streaming platforms:
Plex - free with ads
Things to think about while watching the film
When is the first time you remember experiencing a drag performance?
Do you have a passion you discovered well into adulthood?
What would your drag name and persona be?
Aside from Mrs. Kasha Davis, who is your favorite drag performer?
How to engage
Either leave a comment here with your thoughts on the film, using the above prompts for inspiration. Using the Substack app? Check out the Notes & Chat section. Be sure to read what other people are saying and continue the conversation!
Also, be sure to find ways to support the drag community, such as donating to the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund or by signing the GLAAD Don’t Mess With Drag petition.
BONUS: email thewaltdocs@gmail.com with your donation receipt for the Drag Defense Fund and your WALT account will be upgraded for 3 months!
Paid Subscriber Perks
Special interviews with Ed Popil (Mrs. Kasha Davis) and Angela Washko (Director).
As always, paid subscribers have input on future doc selections and the full back catalogue.
