Drag Couenne

IELS is a documentary which highlights the journeys of two non-binary drag artists: Drag Couenne, a Belgian queen, and Miroslav, a French king. Through their testimonies and a dreamlike staging, the film explores gender transition and the impact of drag on their identity, while questioning society's binary norms.

It's 2055 and Steevyshady, an obsessive Mimi Madamour stan, tells us of their idol’s mad destiny from the very peak of her career in 2005, all the way down to the pits of hell, a downfall brought about by her love story with punk icon Billie Kohler. Over the course of half a century we follow these drama queens as they top the charts and set sail on the course of mad queer love.

Massi, Addi, Lylybeth and Joy are four non-binary artists at a turning point in their careers on Brussels' burgeoning drag scene. While this chosen family is close-knit and supportive, their blood family often has difficulty understanding their identity and their craft. Many truths and emotions remain unspoken. Their shows, sometimes very funny, sometimes very dark, often both, are directly inspired by their daily struggles. The stage allows them to express their gender identities. It's also their livelihood and the place where they draw the energy to force their way into our society. As their performances become increasingly notable, a quest for identity and artistic recognition takes shape. These artists aspire to something essential: the need to embrace who you are and, above all, to be accepted for who you are.