Cockettes

Customer Review: Forgotten Glam
"The Cockettes" Forgotten Glam Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride In the documentary "The Cockettes" we are taken back to San Francisco in the 1970's to learn about a theatre group who defied all of the odds and the conventions of society. They all lived together in a commune and they were gay, straight, bi, men, women, whites, blacks etc and they were wonderful. They put on shows that criticized everything and they were mean, sexual, vicious, hilarious and very, very smart. The documentary looks at them--those entertainers that have been unjustly forgotten. The movie will raise your spirits and how you a world most of us did not have the chance to know. Here is acid-trip theatre performed by an outlandish cast of characters who had a lot to do with opening the doors for freedom of expression. Without these characters around today, we are experiencing a great sense of loss--even if we weren't around to appreciate The Cockettes. The film is an inspiration and even if you have no interest in hippies or drag queens, this is a film you will enjoy. The members of The Cockettes wanted to be stars and therefore they got dressed up in ridiculous outfits, dropped acid regularly and put on "shows" about whatever was of interest to them. They were crazies, had unbridled idealism and were articulate. Habiscus was their leader. His first brush with fame when he stuck a flower in the barrel of the rifle of a member of the National Guard. He was an enigma in every sense of the word (he has been dead some twenty odd years now). He had a vision but that kind of vision could not be brought to the stage. Try to imagine that you were told about a wonderful party--that is how you will feel when you se this film. You will just wish you had actually been able to go. The drag and hippie shows of The Cockettes were sensational and are an interesting look at life at that time. The vintage footage of the actual events is amazing. The Cockettes were the single group to bring n the ideas of gender bending and transgressive art. In fact what they really did was little more than have a good time and I had a good time watching them enjoy themselves. Whether The Cockettes played a part in the gay sexual revolution has not been decided yet. There was then and still is nothing to compare to them. They had great times and it is fun to see them enjoying themselves. This s definitely a movie to see, even if you have no idea of who The Cockettes are. What a wonderful stroll down nostalgia lane.
Customer Review: Inspirational!
I have played this movie at least three times a week since purchasing it. I never tire of it. It gives me inspiration to go out and face an excruciatingly dull and dreary world--even without dropping acid!

Swaziland has been independent since 1968 and is one of the three last monarchies left in Africa. His Majesty, King Mswati, rules over this lush land, known for its fertile valleys and gigantic mountain ranges that encircle the Kingdom.

The country is snuggled between South Africa and Mozambique and is home to giraffe, antelope, crocodiles, waterbuck, zebra, wildebeest and many more. One of the larger reserves is at the Phoponyane Falls. The reserve is 500 hectares large and contains one of Swazilands many legends.

According to the folktale, a beautiful maiden fell in love with heroic warrior. In tradition, if a warrior wanted to wed a maiden, he would have to present a leopards skin, hunted from the Gobolondo mountain. After the warrior had climbed the slopes, he came across one of the residential witches. She turned him into a white flower for trespassing on her land, so that he would spend the rest of eternity blooming with the season.

When the warrior did not return, the maiden banished herself to the rivers edge, where she cried non-stop. Her tears flowed into the water, causing the river to create the Phoponyane falls. Legend has it, when the flower blooms in spring, she slowly stops crying, causing the falls to slow down and gurgle.

For visitors in the region, the Phoponyane contains many hikes, game watches and bike rides. One of which is a 20-minute climb to a gorgeous panoramic view. From here you can see the Lomati, Shashwane and Shelangubo rivers, traveling their journey through the Makhonjwa hills and Sondeza mountain ranges.

To the west, the Bulembu Mountains tower over the Bulembu village. The mountain reaches an impressive height of 1862 meters above sea level, making it the highest mountain range in the Kingdom. You can also spot the South African Border from this point. The nature reserve also offers accommodation to adventurers wanting to explore the area.

The reserve houses three individually designed self-catering cottages, all with private gardens and exquisite views of the valley with its lush forests. For some that would like to rough it out a bit more, there are Safari Tents, and for others who would prefer a bit more privacy, there are 2 en-suite beehives.

The nature reserve holds its own a-la-carte restaurant. Swaziland is one of the few destinations that still holds unspoiled ground. The eyes can wonder for miles upon miles of natures beauty. Each valley and corner holds its own story and legend that the locals would love to tell you. The Kingdom is on exceptionally good terms with its neighbors and the feeling of welcome is stretched all round.

Celeste writes for Lathita Expeditions, which is a African traveling tour operator.