Mister Sister is a 2021 Canadian-American dramedy film by the filmmaker Mars Roberge.[1][2] It stars Jack James Busa, Princess Diandra and Debra Haden, along with the debut acting performance by Jim Sclavunos of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. It was also the last film performance by Ari Gold before his passing.[3]

Mister Sister
Mister Sister official poster
Directed byMars Roberge
Written byMars Roberge
Produced by
  • Mars Roberge
  • Kenneth Shaw
  • Eric Ragan
  • Tamas Birinyi
Starring
CinematographyCody K. Stauffer
Edited byMars Roberge
Music byLinda Lamb
Production
company
World Domination Pictures
Distributed byWorld Domination Pictures
Release date
Running time
108 minutes
Country
United States

Canada

LanguageEnglish

Plot edit

A suicidal man from Milwaukee is given a second chance at life in NYC, working as a drag MC while learning the courage from the caring LGBTQ+ community to pursue his dreams, including a relationship with a tap dancing single mom.[4][5][6]

Production edit

Writing edit

Mister Sister was written by Mars Roberge over the winter of 2018 as a way to get over the grief of the recent passing of his friend, Glam rock singing legend Brett Smiley. During a Q & A at Winter Film Awards, Mars stated that "he [Brett Smiley] was my inspiration for making the movie because I wanted that song ["Space Ace"] in the movie so bad that I started with that song as a cover and then I worked backwards to think 'what kind of script can I do to get to that song' and that's how I made the movie." Mars describes Mister Sister as the result of drawing a line down the middle between his previous productions, The Little House That Could and Scumbag, where it has the crude humour of Scumbag mixed with the loving, caring LGBTQ+ community from The Little House That Could.

Filming edit

Principal photography for Mister Sister began on 3 January 2020 in New York City under Roberge's film production company, World Domination Pictures. The entire movie was filmed over 12 days straight with the final day being the day before New York City's pandemic lockdown.[7]

Release edit

Mister Sister had its world premiere as the official closing night film for the 24th Dances With Films on 12 September 2021,[8][9] held at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood.[3] It then had its east coast premiere as the sold-out closing night film for the 10th Winter Film Awards International Film Festival held at Cinema Village on 30 September 2021.[10][11][12]

Music edit

Roberge released a music video of the song "Sad Sad Vampire" performed by Skunk in the Roses and containing footage from the film. A vinyl 12-inch single containing Rise NYC's "Rock 'n' Roll Manifesto (Thee Majesty Hip Dub Mix by Genesis Breyer P-Orridge)" and the b-side Binary Starr System's "What's Da T? (David J's Dub Science Mix)" was released through World Domination Records.[13]

The score was written by Linda Lamb who also wrote the intro song to Roberge's prior feature, Scumbag. The final song performed in the movie is a cover of Brett Smiley's "Space Ace" performed by Jack James Busa + The Pious. The soundtrack also contains several songs written by Mars Roberge from his various music projects.

Reception edit

OriginalRock.net reviewed the movie, writing that "Mister Sister will relentlessly tickle your senses with laughter, tears and a whole load of street rocking drag queen chit chat. Borrow, buy or steal it, but just f*cking see it."[14]

MyIndieProductions reviewed the movie, writing that "Mister Sister is simply a joy, a fun journey covering some serious issues, as well as introducing some of its audience to a world they may not otherwise be exposed to, which in my opinion is commendable."[15]

Film Threat reviewed the movie, writing that "Although Mister Sister lags, the real stars of the show, the drag queens, do not and are head to toe amazing. They take every scene seriously, along with their hair, make-up, clothes, jewelry, and dialogue."[16]

Awards edit

  • Best NYC Film at the Winter Film Awards International Film Festival (won)[17]
  • Best Actor at the Winter Film Awards International Film Festival (nominated, Jack James Busa)[17]

References edit

  1. ^ "24th Annual Dances With Films Festival by Robin Menken". www.filmfestivals.com. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  2. ^ "Mister Sister | Film | Winter Film Awards International Film Festival". 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  3. ^ a b Grobar, Matt (2021-08-24). "L.A.'s Dances With Films Unveils Lineup, Sets Paul Greengrass & Michael London As Speakers For Inaugural First Films Series". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  4. ^ Wild, Stephi. "NYC's Winter Film Awards International Film Festival Returns For 10th Annual Celebration Of Indie Film". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  5. ^ Weekend, No Rest for the (2021-08-02). "Winter Film Awards International Film Festival Returns for 10th Annual Celebration of Indie Film…". Medium. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  6. ^ "MISTER SISTER | Dances With Films". Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  7. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "MISTER SISTER Screens At The Winter Film Awards In NYC". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  8. ^ "Mister Sister Pictures and Photos - Getty Images". www.gettyimages.in. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  9. ^ Hipes, Patrick (2021-07-23). "L.A.'s Dances With Films Returning With Expanded In-Person Festival; 'The Art Of Protest' Opening-Night Film". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  10. ^ "Mister Sister – suicidal straight guy finds love within NYC's drag community". TheBUZZ Magazine. 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  11. ^ "Drag Queens, Chinese Food, A Nun, NYC, "Mister Sister" Film Premieres at Dances with Films Festival (dir. Mars Roberge)". The WOW Report. 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  12. ^ Chat with Massively talented Mars Roberge. DJ, Artist, Screenwriter, Editor, Award winning Filmmaker, retrieved 2021-12-22
  13. ^ "Rise NYC: Rock 'n' Roll Manifesto (Remix by Genesis Breyer P-Orridge)". Destroy//Exist. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  14. ^ "'MISTER SISTER' Film review. Director Mars Roberge delivers another heavenly splash of back alley Americana". OriginalRock.net. 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  15. ^ Dina (16 August 2021). "Mister Sister 2020 | MyIndie Productions". Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  16. ^ "Mister Sister". Film Threat. 2021-09-23. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  17. ^ a b "WFA 2021 Nominees & Winners | Winter Film Awards International Film Festival". 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-25.

External links edit