“Pink Flamingos” is a 1972 cult classic film directed by John Waters as part of his Trash Trilogy. It’s known for its provocative and confrontational style, which pushes the boundaries of good taste and challenges societal norms.
The film revolves around the character Divine, portrayed by the iconic drag queen Divine (real name Harris Glenn Milstead), who lives in a trailer with her eccentric family in Baltimore. Divine is determined to maintain her status as “the filthiest person alive” and will go to extreme lengths to achieve this title.
The plot follows Divine as she competes with a rival couple, Connie and Raymond Marble, played by Mink Stole and David Lochary, respectively, who also strive to be crowned the filthiest people alive. The rivalry escalates into a series of outrageous and grotesque acts, including public nudity, bestiality, and coprophagia (the consumption of feces).
As the competition intensifies, the film takes viewers on a wild and unpredictable ride through the seedy underbelly of Baltimore. Along the way, we encounter various bizarre and unforgettable characters, including Divine’s devoted but dysfunctional family members and eccentric friends and acquaintances.
“Pink Flamingos” has become a cult classic. It is not for the faint of heart. It contains graphic and explicit content that pushes conventional cinema’s boundaries. However, beneath its shock value lies a biting satire of American culture and a celebration of the outsider spirit.
The Other Cinema 