John Waters comes to VTIFF for screening and commentary on his film Female Troubles (1974)

“John Waters 2014 (cropped)” by PEN American Center is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Image has been cropped to 400 x 571 pixels. 

This Wednesday, October 22nd, the acclaimed cult classic filmmaker and writer John Waters will be attending the Vermont International Film Festival! Waters’ filmography includes underground classics such as Multiple Maniacs (1970), Pink Flamingos (1972), and Female Troubles (1974), as well as more mainstream films like Hairspray (1988), Cry-Baby (1990), and Serial Mom (1994). Having long blurred the lines between shock and satire, Waters’ influence has extended beyond cinema, encompassing books, photography, and performance art, and even earned a place in the U.S. Library of Congress' National Film Registry.

Female Troubles (1974), the filmmaker's favorite collaboration with the star Divine, will be screened by VTIFF at a one-night-only event. However, this screening is unique due to the physical presence of John Waters, who will provide commentary throughout the film.  

The film, originally released in 1974, was dedicated to Charles “Tex” Watson, a member of the Manson family (whom Waters visited in prison). Waters wrote, directed, produced, co-edited, and penned the lyrics to the title track, sung by Divine in this campy, rebellious Christmas nightmare. The cast is filled with many of John’s regulars, such as Divine as Dawn Davenport, Mink Stole as Taffy Davenport, Mary Vivian Pearce as Donna Dasher, Edith Massey as Aunt Ida, Cookie Mueller as Concetta, and David Lochary as Donald Dasher, who tragically turned out to be the actor’s final performance. This ensemble of actors is commonly referred to as “Dreamlanders,” a name stemming from John's production company, Dreamland Productions.

The film follows Dawn Davenport, a spoiled teenager whose tantrum over not receiving cha-cha heels on Christmas inspires her to run away from home. While hitchhiking, she becomes pregnant. However, this mess results in a career as a fashion model for two people who enjoy photographing women while they commit crimes. Shot in gritty 16mm, a tribute to classic melodramas while also a Molotov cocktail hurled at traditional morality, Female Troubles overflows with camp.

This event, hosted by VTIFF, is a rare opportunity to see one of the most prolific cult film icons reflect on his work, live and uncensored.