Drag Queen. Revenge. Comedy. Three things you get when filmmaker Matt Kugelman teams up with Bianca Del Rio for their first feature film. “Hurricane Bianca” is the result: a feature-length screenplay that’s slated for shooting this winter. The film is a comedy about a New York teacher who moves to a small Texas town, is fired for being gay and returns in disguise as a mean lady to get revenge on the nasty town. And you thought your job was a drag!
Kugelman studied filmmaking at the University of Southern California and Columbia College Chicago. He moved to New York City to work on Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11.” Soon after, Kugelman started working on the CBS News on Logo Show and was recruited to edit the “CBS: This Morning Show” last year.
“Hurricane Bianca” was written for Roy Haylock, who performs improv comedy as his drag alter-ego Bianca Del Rio in nightclubs across the country. Haylock has had many theatrical roles that include Angel in Rent and the Emcee in Cabaret. As Bianca, he’s appeared on Logo TV’s “Dragtastic: One Night Stand Up” comedy special and has hosted the annual Bourbon Street Costume Awards in Mardi Gras for more than 10 years.
The film is a mainstream comedy, but also deals with the very serious issues of getting fired for being gay. In a time when we are talking about marriage equality, it’s also important to realize that in 2013, it’s still completely legal in 29 states to fire someone because of their sexual orientation.
Michael Musto of the Village Voice says, “If this film doesn’t get made, I will go to a Texas town–any Texas town–and get some revenge myself.”
Hurricane Bianca is currently in fundraising mode. Visit www.HurricaneBianca.com to make a donation!