Wilgefortis’ Prayer (2024)

Work in progress

Single channel HD video with sound. 6mins 10secs.

Inspired by Madonna’s Like a Prayer, the Leeds queer scene, donk music, and purgatory, Wilgefortis' Prayer explores the legendary Saint Wilgefortis, who grew a beard to avoid marrying a much older king. Taking the form of a karaoke music video, this film utilises costumes made by K Ross Walker, music produced by Joseph Marcus and performed by Ríoghnach Connolly and Leonie Evans, and 3D scans, celebrating the glitch as a queer form of refusal to function, promoting the beard as a kind of relic. It takes the loneliness of purgatory and imbues it with the messiness, sweatiness, and sweet abyss of the dancefloor.

Cast:
Emma Bentley Fox
Courtney Dodds
Kit Gale
Jude Kershaw
Lily Lavorato
Nivetha Tilakkumar
K Ross Walker
Lux Williams

Direction, Filming & Edit: Ronnie Danaher
Production: Courtney Dodds
Costumes: K Ross Walker
Vocals: Rioghnach Connolly & Leonie Evans
Music production: Joseph Marcus
Lighting: George Moody
Production assistant: Herfa Martina Thompson
Beards on Jude & Emma: Chafe Creations