Split: Portrait of a Drag Queen

1993, English, International Chrysis, USA,

Director: Ellen Fisher Turk & Andrew Weeks
Release Year: 1993

Synopsis:

Split: Portrait of a Drag Queen (1993), directed by Ellen Fisher Turk and Andrew Weeks, is a documentary that presents a deeply personal, complex, and captivating portrait of International Chrysis, a pioneering transgender performer whose life and career were as dramatic and multifaceted as the world she inhabited. Born in 1951, Chrysis, whose birth name was Christopher, became a symbol of transformation, resilience, and glamour within the drag and transgender communities. The film explores her rise from humble beginnings to the heights of fame in New York City’s drag scene, capturing her charisma, artistry, and struggles in ways that celebrate her while also highlighting the personal costs of a life lived in the spotlight.

 

The documentary is structured as both a celebration of Chrysis’s career and an intimate reflection on the challenges she faced, including issues of gender, identity, health, and societal acceptance. It tells the story of a beautiful boy who, in the late 1960s, fled his Brooklyn home in search of something more, and over the next several decades, became a renowned figure in the drag and performance art worlds. Chrysis’s journey is marked by a combination of courage and vulnerability, and Split sheds light on the multifaceted nature of her character, showing not only her extravagant public persona but also the private individual who dealt with profound personal and physical struggles.

 

Born Christopher L. Kage in Brooklyn, New York, Chrysis discovered early on that she was different from the other boys. As a teenager, she ran away from home to escape a stifling environment that did not understand her gender identity. She found refuge in the underground drag and artistic communities of New York, where her unique combination of beauty, performance skills, and charm quickly made her a standout. International Chrysis’s transformation into a woman wasn’t just about physical changes; it was also an artistic and cultural reinvention. She adopted the name "Chrysis" from a Greek mythological figure, and her persona combined glamour, sophistication, and a flair for the dramatic, drawing comparisons to legendary actresses like Raquel Welch and Joan Collins.

 

Chrysis’s charisma was undeniable, and it was this magnetism that helped propel her to prominence. Her work in the performance art world, particularly with the Hot Peaches troupe, brought her a dedicated following. She was part of a wave of drag performers in the 1960s and 1970s who were pushing boundaries and redefining what it meant to perform gender. Chrysis’s ability to embody femininity in all its complexity allowed her to stand out, not just within the drag scene but also in the broader world of avant-garde performance art. Her performances often blended elements of theater, music, and visual art, capturing the attention of influential figures from various artistic realms.

 

Perhaps most famously, International Chrysis became a protégé of surrealist painter Salvador Dalí, an association that would become one of the most defining aspects of her life. The documentary sheds light on their relationship, which was marked by mutual admiration. Dalí, known for his eccentricity and larger-than-life personality, took an immediate liking to Chrysis and became an influential figure in her life. Their connection, both artistic and personal, was a defining element in her journey as a performer. Dalí’s mentorship provided Chrysis with validation in the often-overlooked world of transgender and drag performers. His influence is evident in her larger-than-life persona, and in the way she approached her performances with a sense of artistic rebellion.

 

During the 1970s, Chrysis became a fixture in the drag supper club scene, performing in clubs such as the Hot Peaches’ venue in Greenwich Village, where she gained widespread attention. By the 1980s, she transitioned from supper clubs to nightclubs, taking her performances to a new level with elaborate revues like Jesus Chrysis Superstar and The Last Temptation of Chrysis. These shows were a mix of campy humor, high fashion, and avant-garde art, and they cemented her status as a leading figure in New York’s drag scene. Her influence in the world of drag was profound, and her shows helped pave the way for future generations of performers.

 

Despite her success, Chrysis’s personal life was not without its struggles. The documentary touches on her battles with gender dysphoria and the physical pain that came with her transition. In an era when transgender people faced immense societal discrimination, Chrysis was forced to navigate not only the difficulties of living as a transgender woman but also the physical toll of hormone treatments and illegal cosmetic procedures. One of the most tragic aspects of her story is the role that dangerous and unregulated breast enhancement injections played in her untimely death. Chrysis’s breast implants, injected with industrial-grade wax, hardened into painful lumps that would eventually lead to complications and, ultimately, liver cancer. This health crisis was a direct result of the experimental procedures that were often the only options available to transgender individuals during that time period.

 

International Chrysis passed away from liver cancer on March 26, 1990, at the age of 39, just a few months before the release of Split: Portrait of a Drag Queen. Her death cast a shadow over the vibrant legacy she left behind. The documentary, released posthumously, stands as a tribute to her remarkable talent, resilience, and unique place in the history of drag performance. It also serves as a reminder of the physical and emotional tolls that Chrysis—and many others like her—endured in order to live authentically.

 

One of the most touching aspects of the film is the way it presents Chrysis as a human being, rather than just a drag performer. We see her in more personal, vulnerable moments, talking about her fears, her health struggles, and the emotional weight of living in a world that was, and continues to be, hostile to those who don't fit traditional gender norms. The film also gives voice to her friends and collaborators, many of whom remember her with deep affection and respect. In a world where transgender people were often marginalized and silenced, International Chrysis was unapologetically visible, and her visibility helped to broaden the scope of what it meant to be a transgender artist in the public eye.Chrysis’s impact on drag culture was immense, and even after her death, her influence continued to be felt. In the early 1990s, the British synth-pop band Dead or Alive recorded a track under the name "International Chrysis" as a tribute to her. The name lives on as a symbol of transgressive art, gender performance, and the fierce struggle for self-expression.

 

Split: Portrait of a Drag Queen is a powerful reflection on a life well-lived, albeit one that was marred by the complications of an unforgiving world. It celebrates not just the performances of International Chrysis but also her humanity, giving viewers a nuanced view of a trailblazer whose story continues to resonate in the ongoing fight for transgender rights and visibility in the arts. Through its intimate portrayal, the documentary ensures that Chrysis’s contributions to drag, performance art, and gender expression will not be forgotten, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to appreciate and learn from.

 

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