Santa Fe Independent Film Fest to host John Waters
‘Hairspray’ genius to perform 1-man show
A film legend will be the highlight at the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival in October.
John Waters, the mastermind behind “Hairspray” and “Pink Flamingos,” will perform his one-man show “John Waters — This Filthy World: Dirtier & Filthier” on Oct. 21.
Waters last appeared at the festival in 2013.
He told the Journal that he has stepped aside from directing films, and keeps busy with photography and writing books.
“I don’t know if I’ll write or direct another movie,” he said. “It’s so hard to get a movie made today, and I don’t think I can work with a small budget.”
John Waters grew up in Baltimore in the 1950s, obsessed with violence and gore, both real and on the screen. With his counterculture friends as his cast, Waters began making silent 8mm and 16mm films in the mid-’60s. By the early 1970s, he was making features, breaking into worldwide notoriety with “Pink Flamingos” in 1972.
Waters successfully crossed over to Hollywood in 1988 with “Hairspray,” which was turned into the eight-time Tony awardwinning Broadway musical.
Meow Wolf, the Santa Febased artist collective, is the presenting sponsor of Waters’ performance.
“Waters and Meow Wolf began as art on the edge and now are at the center of pop culture, like SFIFF, so we are honored to collaborate with Meow Wolf for such a special evening with Mr. Waters,” said Liesette Paisner Bailey, festival director.
After Waters’ performance, he will sign his latest book, “Role Models.”
The ninth annual Santa Fe Independent Film Festival begins on Oct. 18 and runs through Oct. 22.
Tickets for the John Waters show, at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, range from $28 to $75 and are available at ticketsantafe.org, or call 505-988-1234 on Sept. 6.