Game of Queens (or Juego de Reinas in its original Spanish) is an interesting product coming from the far South. Clearly, one more reason to keep closely looking after Argentine developments.
Pandemic Queens
First of all, I must confess that I have more questions than answers about Juego de Reinas – Batalla Drag (Game of Queens). Starting with, how a hell are they able to produce this show amidst Argentinean roaring new COVID wave? To start, the Queens (as they call participants) seem to be traveling across Argentina in buses. Plus, I have not seen one single mask during the whole production.
The pandemic is not absent, though. In the second episode, we learned that one of the Queens missed the opening because she got Covid. The pandemic is referenced now and then by the hostess and the participants. Yet, there is no physical distancing or mask wearing.
All I know is what I can see. Of course, not observing health safety protocols does not mean there are not any. As we said, I just have questions…. And perhaps we also have a few suggestions for the production.
In case you are following any protocols, perhaps you should share them. We are in the middle of a pandemic, people are tired of necessary precautions, and irrationality is gaining strength. Entertainers have a social responsibility and should model respect for public health protocols.
In case you are not following any protocols, please start doing it. I like the show and the Queens. We do not want any of them getting sick, and we want to see more Game of Queens coming in many future seasons (and, apparently, national tours).
An Evolving Game of Queens
The show is broadcasted by an Open TV station from the Argentinean northwest, Canal 10 from Salta. The rest of the world can stream the “galas” (as they call each episode) through the YouTube Channel Juego de Reinas.
It follows the traditional format of reality tv show competitions. Particularly, it obviously takes inspiration from Rupaul’s Drag Race. Along the competition, an initially crowded group of drag queens goes through different challenges. Each gala ends with one or more Queens highlighted and rewarded, and one or more eliminated.
As I am writing this report, there are 11 galas available, and next would be the Finale. This coming Friday, the last 4 Queens will fight for the crown.
If you start watching from the beginning, you will notice how the production is evolving. Not only you will see technical improvements and increasing comfort with he cameras, but also changes in the concept.
For instance, at the beginning two reporters were introduced as part of the production. Apparently, they would run backstage interviews with the Queens. However, the interviews were never broadcasted and the two young reporters soon vanished from the credits.
It is not in the concept where you can notice most of the changes. As the production gains proficiency, there are many little improvements. For instance, we have to wait for the second episode to have HD available. If you do not speak Spanish, you will have to wait up to the third gala to have the Youtube AI to help you with automatic subtitles.
Indeed, it is in the technical and professional aspects of producing and editing a TV show where we can point to most of the challenges. However, all technical flaws become secondary if we look at the strengths of the project: local creativity and visibility.
A Game of Creative Queens
Not only the Queens in the competition are creative, but everyone else in this production. Salta is one of the eldest and most beautiful cities and regions of the country, but not one of the richest or most political progressive ones. The whole production obviously lacks of resources.
As the show unexpectedly became the most viewed out of the whole programming, it looks like Channel 10 shared more equipment and installations after the first galas. Certainly, they are very generous with the allotted time: from less than 1 hour in the first gala to above 2 hours in some of the latest ones. Overall, you can observe a creative combination of very limited resources coming from each participant plus different partners and sponsors. Some times, even unwilling or unaware partners.
One of my favorite moments took place, if I remember well, in episode 9. One of the Queens needed a motorcycle to film a clip. The production went out to the street, found a bike that was parked there, brought it inside the studio, filmed the clip, and returned it to its original parking location. We learned it because the hostess thanks the unaware owner and wishes he has not yet placed a police report.
Needless to say, the creativity we enjoy the most comes from the competitors. Most of them are not professional drag queens. Even most of the professional ones do not have access to the high quality resources we are used to admire in USA, or even Buenos Aires’ productions. There are a few exceptions, but they are not the norm.
Nevertheless, many of them manage to build beautiful and appealing drag characters spending none o very little money.
Queer Diversity
Perhaps this is what I like the most of Game of Queens (Juego de Reinas). The show calls to participants into drag and cross dressing beyond their sexuality and/or gender. This frame places us in the new trends questioning rigid sexual identities and gender roles and expectations, and takes us far away from Conservative Gayness.
Additionally, this lighthouse of progressive, sex positive speech is based in a Conservative region of Argentina. One where the Catholic Church and traditional powerful families have a disproportionate influence in public policy.
We cannot highlight enough the local political importance of Game of Queens. In a country where gay friendliness and progressive culture are supposed to be in Buenos Aires, this show comes to question some of the most deeply rooted national prejudices.
According to the local national myth, Argentinean homosexual or non conforming people from inside the country move to Buenos Aires looking for a place where to express themselves and enjoy personal freedom. Well, this show is a strong argument against that myth.
A few years ago I visited Corrientes, another Argentinean city in a different region. Over there, I was also gladly surprised at the Gay Pride March. I was surprised, because I went to the experience with the same myth in my mindset.
Game of Queens is broadcasting to the world this group of Queer people celebrating themselves and each other. From Salta, Argentina. Not only is projecting Queer Joy against Binary Patriarchy all over the world. Additionally, it is making a statement of Queer Visibility from inside the country, against Buenos Aires draining representation monopoly.
Juego de Reinas – next season
Many of the technical and production issues we notices probably have an easy explanation. Game of Queens began as a small, artisanal project, and they were not ready for the success they had. Once again, let me remind you that I am just guessing. I am just a new fan who finished devouring the 11 available galas in 3 days and immediately ran to write this report. I have not researched the show, but just watched it.
Hopefully, the production will be better prepared the next season. Because there will be a new season. We do not need insight intelligence or extra sensorial powers to predict it with confidence. For instance, the joining of the judges by two local talented drag queens may be a sign of a new judges team.
Probably, they will have more money coming from more sponsors. This can be great, or can be poisonous. Most of the money in Argentina is in Buenos Aires, and jumping up in production quality may cost creative originality and regional representation and visibility. Much of the product charm comes from its freshness and improvisation.
Whatever happens, we have a wish list of what we would like to see (because we will not miss one single episode from now on)
- Clearer rules and expectations. During the first season, sometimes the judges seemed not to be on the same page on basic expectations. For instance, on whether or not the Queens can use clothing that is not their property, or that has been used in a performance before. Also, in some galas the first contender to perform seemed to learn the day’s expectations after she performed. Or some contenders knew hey could bring dancers but others did not.
- Better judges. One of the weaknesses in the first season is the three main judges. Judges in these shows should fill two basic requirements: they should give workable feedback/constructive criticism and they should be entertaining.
- Stay in Salta. Or perhaps broadcast from a different provincial capital each season, or each episode. But stay away from Buenos Aires. If you have enough money to tour the country for castings, it would be great. Anything that channels regional visibility should be fostered.
- Intentionally mentor and teach participants. The better the participants are, the more success for Games of Queens. The abyss on quality and know how amongst contestant jeopardizes audience interest.
- Foster equity. Set a budget to fund contestants not only to improve how the show looks overall, but also to improve equity conditions. Right now, a talented Queen with no money have little chances when facing a less talented one with resources in abundance. Also develop more challenges like Trash Queen in the second episode, with clearer and stricter limits. Perhaps regulating the access to resources (like in Trash Queen) is easier than funding the Queens.
Watching Argentina (and Juego de Reinas)
Those of us who enjoy traveling to places where we can have lots of sex with young men, usually favor Brazil, Colombia, República Dominicana, East Europe, and the South East of Asia as first line of destinations. Argentina (Buenos Aires, most times) is always in the second line of options.
For a while, I have been suggesting that we should reconsider. Out of all the consequences of globalization for the South Cone country, there are two I want to highlight.
On one hand, Buenos Aires has changed. The average local is now more open minded towards other South American cultures, and the population more cultural and racially diverse than two decades ago, when I left. One major factor for the local change is a significant immigration from Venezuela and Colombia.
On the other hand, social media and Internet have provided more tools to regional cultural hubs. Buenos Aires traditional hegemony and monopoly of cultural production and national representation are fading. Unfortunately, they are still strong, but Game of Queens probes that it is possible to break through.
Rapidly, not only Buenos Aires but the whole rest of the Argentinean country side are gaining interest as an appealing destination for adventurous queer travelers. The locals are diverse, educated, hot, and friendly. The food is excellent. Local Talent and Cultural live are rich and appealing. Nature is abundant, diverse, and beautiful. Prices are low. And sex is easy.
Watch Argentina. I will be there next week.
But this Friday, watch Juego de Reinas – Batalla Drag. It is The Finale!
Hasta la próxima pinga, amig@s!
