The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert

Written in less than ten days in 1994, The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert became a cultural phenomenon that fundamentally altered mainstream ideas about queer identity worldwide. The iconic imagery of Priscilla still resonates as a symbol of global queer pride and liberation in spite of a critical reception that has varied since its release.Renée Middlemost provides valuable insight into the key debates surrounding the film through an overview of its production, initial reception, and legacy - adaptation into a stage musical, theme for an Olympic float, and inspiration for reality television programs.The evolution of Priscilla’s reputation also offers insight into ever-changing cultural attitudes: wild praise upon release, academic and critical backlash, and finally a nuanced but warm welcome into the history of Australian cinema.Equal parts road movie, musical, and comedy, Priscilla moved between genres, pulling off a radical centring of queer lives for mainstream consum