Korolevy radosti

Queens of Joy

Amidst the maelstrom of war in Ukraine, three drag queens - Diva Monroe, Marlene, and Aura – refuse to abandon their homeland. Instead of fleeing, they choose to fight: for freedom, the LGBTQ+ community, and their very existence. From the glamour of the show to the brutality of war, the film follows their lives – filled with loss, fear, as well as indomitable courage. Marlen grapples with old wounds, Diva Monroe finds herself once more, and Aura fights for a place both in the army and on the stage. A charity drag show they organize to support Ukraine turns into a symbol of unity and resilience. The film is a story of self-discovery, love, hope, and the power to find joy even in the darkest of times. (Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival)

Director's Filmography (Selection)
Korolevy radosti (Queens of Joy, 2024, doc) - Ivankiv. Finding One's Land (2023, doc short, part of the project 'Cities and Their Heroes') - Koe-chto (Something, 2011, short)
CROSSING EUROPE AWARDS
2025: CROSSING EUROPE Social Awareness Award – Best Documentary
Competition Documentary 2025
Olga Gibelinda
Ukraine / France / Czechia 2024
color
90 minutes
Ukrainian / Russian
OV with English subtitles

Screenings / Tickets

Film guest(s) present: Hana Blaha Šilarová (), Olga Gibelinda (Director)


To purchase tickets, please click on the desired date.
Screenplay Olga Gibelinda, Ivanna Khitsinska
Cinematography Kyrylo Nikrashevych, Olga Gibelinda
Editing Zuzana Walter
Sound/Sounddesign Dmytro Moroz
Music Artem Baburin
Producer(s) Ivanna Khitsinska, Louis Beaudemont, Hana Blaha Šilarová
Production
Malanka Studios, Les Steppes Productions, Films & Chips
Austrian Premiere
World Premiere
Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival 2025
Tags
LGBTIQA+, Ukraine / Russo-Ukrainian War