KVIFF Captain Faggotron Saves the Universe

Captain Faggotron Saves the Universe

Directed by Harvey Rabit

'Captain Faggotron Saves the Universe' is a camp, overly self-aware film that subverts the superhero trope while having unashamed fun. Screening to roaring crowds at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival after its Rotterdam debut, the first feature of filmmaker Harvey Rabbit updates the low-budget aesthetics of John Waters to a new generation, even if the screenplay leaves something to be desired. Its show-stopping scenes make it a natural fit for queer film festivals and midnight screenings.

The German production revolves around the superhero of the title (Tchivett), who gets involved in a plot to turn Earth into a homosexual realm. Considering his flamboyant queerness, you'd be forgiven if you thought he's helping on this plan. The twist is that he isn't. In fact, he's joining forces with old friend Father Gaylord (Rodrigo Garcia Alves) to stop Queen Bitch (Bishop Black), an alien sexual deviant who has the power to unleash a horde of queer people on the planet.

Films like this one are seldom about the plot and 'Captain Faggotron' can benefit from an audience that isn't really concerned with it. That's too much going on, with plenty of flashbacks and a protagonist whose allegiance isn't really clear. That said, the feature delivers when it comes to iconic moments - like the epic sausage-sucking competition - even if they feel a bit disjointed.

Despite being made in Germany, it resembles an American production, not least because it's shot in English. This brings it closer to the aesthetic it embodies, in the same vein of the German-Finnish sci-fi "Iron Sky''. Overall, the film clearly is having a good time breaking down heteronormative conventions and packs a trashy escapism that has the potential to make it a cult staple.

@Lucas Pistilli