“Like the John Waters protagonists he portrayed in numerous films, Divine was the ultimate outsider. Spitting in the face of the status quos of body image, gender identity, sexuality and preconceived notions of beauty, Divine still succeeded in becoming an internationally recognized recording artist and screen icon,” explains Jeffrey Schwarz, director and producer of the documentary I Am Divine. “He gives courage to anyone who’s ever been mocked, ridiculed and ostracized and gives us all hope that anything's possible.”

I Am Divine was inspired when Schwarz was producing a documentary short for the 2007 remake of Hairspray, which featured a section about the original film starring Divine as Edna Turnblad. “This movie is made by and for Divine fans,” says co-producer Lotti Pharriss Knowles, “so it's important for us that fans donate and feel a sense of ownership of this film. We really can't do this without their support.”

Knowles explains that their film company, Automat Pictures, currently has a rough cut of the film they can submit to festivals, but they’re fundraising to cover music, photos and rights: “And it's very important that we at least meet our goal by Oct 19 [Divine's birthday], because the way Kickstarter works is that you don't get to keep one thin dime unless you raise the total amount stated at the outset.”

Whether it's the giant lobster rape scene in Multiple Maniacs or her role as the filthiest person alive in Pink Flamingos, anyone who has seen her has their favourite Divine moment. “My personal favourite Divine moment is when he struts down the streets of Baltimore in Female Trouble and you see real people's reactions to him,” Knowles says. “He was just shameless and so full of in-your-face joy, and I wish we could all have more of that in our lives!” — Michael Lyons
 
Go to I Am Divine's page on kickstarter.com to donate. divinemovie.com