RuPaul and Mike Ruiz presented the film Starrbooty to a full house at The Lakeshore Theatre Nov. 14. The viewing was part of the Reeling 2007: Chicago Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival.
Combining elements of the blaxploitation movies of the ྂs with the shock value of John Waters, RuPaul's comeback film pays homage to camp classics like Foxy Brown, Female Trouble, Charlie's Angels and Showgirls.
Starrbooty is a character RuPaul had developed in the ྌs before becoming a household name as the Supermodel of the World. In Starrbooty's latest adventure, the top agent goes undercover as a street hooker named Cupcake to rescue her kidnapped niece Cornisha ( Jazmine Jimenez ) from the evil corporate mogul Annaka Manners ( Candis Cayne ) . Hilarity ensues.
Prior to premiering the film, RuPaul readied the audience by saying that Starrbooty has everything he loves in movies: hair, frontal and 'backal' nudity, terrible one-liners and bad acting. Following Waters' footsteps, the film's star also warned the crowd that if nobody leaves the theater in disgust, then he accomplished his goal with Starrbooty.
The supporting cast includes Lahoma Van Zandt, Gus Mattox, Lady Bunny, Michael Lucas, Owen Hawk, and Ari Gold. During the Q&A session, the film's director Ruiz readily admitted to striving to have every role filled by an adult film star or transgendered actor.
Both Ruiz and RuPaul confessed that this movie is a labor of love. RuPaul not only wrote and starred in this action-packed comedy, but he also produced it and assumed the musical duties, too.
While the film was dedicated in loving memory to the late Reverend Jerry Falwell, the pair said this film is a love letter to the right wing, as well as to the politically correct left-wing liberals.
A reception and karaoke contest hosted by RuPaul and Ruiz at Goose Island followed the Q&A session and a DVD signing.
This is the first full-length feature film for the famed celebrity photographer. Ruiz has photographed the entertainment industry's top divas including 50 Cent, Beyonce, Dolly Parton, Eva Longoria and Kristine W.
Starrbooty is available now on DVD.