Word: drags
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...build tolerance and, eventually, acceptance is to respect the sensibilities of the community as a whole, avoiding shock tactics and emphasizing the idea that gay men and women can be decent, responsible citizens. While displays of "gay pride" may have noble intent, it's fair to note that drag queens, crude sexual imagery and other outlandish aspects of many such demonstrations do little to promote a concept of gays as valuable members of the commonwealth...
Many of these traits, of course, could be viewed as a direct result of the movie's origin as a stage play. But what works on stage doesn't always work on film, and Bent's stagey conventions make it drag along...
...sensual decadence of a gay Berlin cabaret of the 1930s, is almost worth the admission price by itself. Titillating and visually gorgeous, it's heightened by an unexpected cameo: Mick Jagger, startlingly in his element as nightclub owner Greta (a.k.a. George), performs a throaty torch song in full drag whilst suspended on a platform from the ceiling, in a menacingly campy turn disturbingly reminiscent of Tim Curry as Frank N. Furter...
...offer of a chance to watch the Bacchae, and shamefully puts on a dress as the Maenads hoot and catcall, the audience feels little pity towards him. His imminent doom is not a tragedy; it is simply a foolish leader's receiving his just desserts. Yet during the drag scene, as childishly funny as it is, eroticism sparks between the nervous Pentheus (who has given up all his power to resemble a woman) and the smiling Dionysos, who now has complete control over his unsuspecting prey...
...which is quite appropriate in the patriarchal society of Greece (and today). He has the ultimate power literally and figuratively; and although they lust after him, the Maenads also sometimes engage in lesbian-ish petting of each other. In addition, a great twist is added to the "Pentheus In Drag" scene as Pentheus is suddenly 'reduced' to becoming another woman drooling over Dionysos. He surrenders his sexual power, and as a result, his political power as well. The mocking of Pentheus in a dress is very childish and reminiscent of third-grade, but effectively creates the mood of sexual tension...