Queering The Music Video

Panel discussion and premiere of three d/Deaf accessible music videos from The Legend Of Queen Kong.

The Legend of Queen Kong
The Legend of Queen Kong encapsulates a 12-year-long creative odyssey that has shapeshifted across forms and formats, genres and genders—from the emergence of the Naarm-based, neo-punk, performance art, queer rock band, Queen Kong and the HOMOsapiens, through evolution into a satirical, sci-fi, rock cabaret and, later, an Auslan-accessible theatrical rock spectacular, before culminating in a feature-length, d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing accessible visual album.

The three music videos are edited by Chris Bennett, Sarah Ward, Cerise Howard and Bec Matthews using a kaleidoscopic mix of archival concert footage (2017–2022), behind-the-scenes video and screen art by Rainer Kelly and Will Huxley, and animations from Finn Scholes.

The Legend of Queen Kong is queer myth-making through the art of the music video. It is an experiment in visibility, a reclamation of narrative, and a futuristic vision for how screen, sound and story can speak to those often left out of the frame.

“Queering the Music Video” Panel
A panel discussion on how the music video form can be radically disrupted, remixed and reclaimed
Moderated by film critic and former Melbourne Queer Film Festival Program Director, Cerise Howard, this panel discussion will celebrate access, inclusion and equity in music, film and queer culture.

The panel will bring together the lead artists on the Legend of Queen Kong project. With Sarah Ward, The Huxley’s, Bec Matthews, special guest Dr Stayci Taylor and a video message from Deaf artist Asphyxia (the sign singer and advisor on the project).

This event will be Auslan-interpreted by Dr Kirri Dangerfield and Khang Chiem. Live performances of two songs by co-creators Sarah Ward and Bec Matthews will be woven into the evening.