Divine Trash (1998)

Synopsis: Climaxing with Waters filming Divine's infamous "dog-excrement eating scene" for the American filth masterpiece PINK FLAMINGOS, Yeager's documentary is a loving portrait of the outré artist as a... Climaxing with Waters filming Divine's infamous "dog-excrement eating scene" for the American filth masterpiece PINK FLAMINGOS, Yeager's documentary is a loving portrait of the outré artist as a young man. Beginning with Waters's unusual childhood fascinations with bloody car wrecks and storybook villains, Yeager traces the self-proclaimed "Sultan of Sleaze's" career progression from amateur puppeteer to guerrilla filmmaker and celebrated cult phenomenon. Waters comes across as an ambitious artist with a singular vision, unflagging work ethic, and flair for salesmanship, combining the pluck of Benjamin Franklin with the aesthetic of a deranged Douglas Sirk. The interviews feature his parents, friends and collaborators (Pearce, Stole, Massey, Lochary, Divine), fellow filmmakers, critics, art curators, the beleaguered Maryland State censor who had to rate all of his films, and the director himself. Combined with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and montages of classic scenes from his early body of work (ROMAN CANDLES, EAT YOUR MAKE UP, MULTIPLE MANIACS, FEMALE TROUBLE, PINK FLAMINGOS, and more), the film pays tribute to Waters's influential approach to filmmaking and to his biggest star, the 300-pound drag queen Divine (nee Glenn Milstead), while simultaneously exploring his diverse influences (HOWDY DOODY, WIZARD OF OZ, exploitation filmmakers Hershel Gordon Lewis and the Kuchar brothers, as well as Warhol and Godard) and lasting contributions to American cinema. [More]

Starring: John Waters, Divine, Steve Buscemi, Jeanine Basinger

Starring: John Waters, Divine, Steve Buscemi, Jeanine Basinger, Hal Hartley, J. Hoberman, Jim Jarmusch, Larry Kardish, George Kuchar, Mike Kuchar, David Lochary, Edith Massey, Jonas Mekas, Paul Morrissey, Mary Vivian Pearce, John Pierson, Robert Shaye, Mink Stole

Director: Steve Yeager

Director: Steve Yeager
Screenwriter: Steve Yeager
Producer: Caroline Kaplan

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