Ruminations

Ruminations is a captivating 2018 documentary biopic directed by Robert James, featuring Steven Palmer, Joe E. Jeffreys and the central subject, Rumi Missabu aka The Countess, who is a member of the notorious, avant-garde collective, The Cockettes. The film draws the viewer into the world of San Francisco's counter-culture scene during the late 1960s and early 1970s while spotlighting the resilient journey of Missabu and his standout role in this distinctive and vibrant community.

The documentary is a captivating blend of vintage footage, personal interviews, theatrical performances, and contemporary scenes within Missabu's life. It attempts to portray the struggle of this consummate performer who has spent decades on the fringe of mainstream acceptance. It highlights the courage it takes to live life on one's own terms, grapple with identity, addiction, and survival, whilst still creating beautiful and meaningful art.

Robert James frames Ruminations as a candid, often funny, and deeply moving insight into the life of Missabu. Through interviews with the performer himself and with those who know him best, it paints a colorful and poignant portrait of a man who has never compromised his artistic integrity or his commitment to his unique vision and vibrant energy.

Missabu's story forms the fabric of a time and a movement that altered the course of American pop-culture, despite often being relegated to its peripherals. The creators of this film make sure to tribute this enormous impact while also shedding light onto the individual, his creative resilience, and the fight against societal norms. As viewers, we witness the birth of the LGBTQ+ revolution and theatre's role in it through the eyes of one of its most audacious pioneers.

Steven Palmer and Joe E. Jeffreys, along with other members of Missabu's circle, provide invaluable insight and context to the story. They manage to capture the spirit of rebellion and transformation that characterized not just Missabu's life but the lives of everyone involved in the Cockettes. Lesser-known tales from the period are richly brought to life with a nuanced understanding of underlying themes of freedom, acceptance, and artistic expression.

With Ruminations, the director paints a loving tribute to a performer whose influence is largely unacknowledged and unnoticed by mainstream media or the general public. It offers a nostalgic journey back to a critical time in American history while reminding us of the indomitable spirit of individuals who dare to live their truth.

Stylistically, Ruminations blends the boldness of the Cockettes’ performance art with the narrative convention of documentary filmmaking. It uses this aesthetic to guide the audience through the chaos, creativity, and the highs and lows of that historic era. By using personal interviews and maintaining a close lens on Missabu, the film underscores his story's importance for viewers who may not know of his significance in the counter-culture movement.

The film switches between past and present, allowing audiences to witness the evolution of Missabu from a young San Francisco revolutionary to an elder statesman of experimental performance art. Yet what remains consistent is his unflinching resolve to live a life anchored in creativity and authenticity.

While it serves as a love letter to a pivotal player in the LGBTQ+ history, Ruminations also stands as a testament to human resilience. It paints an honest, unvarnished look at the life of an artist driven by passion and purpose, undeterred by societal norms and gender conventions. The film is a compelling narration of a life lived boldly and contributes significantly to how we understand and appreciate the roots of the modern LGBTQ+ movement.

In essence, Ruminations offers a bold, entertaining, and emotional journey through a less seen segment of American history. It gives life to the stories and experiences of the fringe performers who shaped contemporary performance art and boosted the LGBTQ+ liberation movement ahead. It's an engaging watch, not just for those interested in untold stories of LGBT history, but anyone inspired by the unbroken spirit of an artist.