Extreme Friday 2018 – Casa Roshell

As darkness falls, a camera directed at the entrance to the Casa Roshell nightclub offers a glimpse of its drab reception area, opening onto a dreary street. Yet once you enter the premises, things appear entirely different. Inside Casa Roshell red light bulbs flicker, the tables are still vacant, and the ladies will soon be ready. They are currently shaving off any stubble; men’s clothing are removed and women’s clothes are donned; heavy makeup is applied to cover rough complexions and wigs are worn to hide bald heads. Camila José Donoso’s camera is pointed not to the men themselves, but to that which they see reflected in the mirror. Then there’s just enough time to practice walking in high heels, speaking in a feminine voice, and just thinking what kind of girl you’d like to be this evening.
The bar opens and the final limits between male and female are erased. At Casa Roshell men – gay, straight or bi – can be, for a few hours, women. They sit gossiping or await the arrival of patrons interested in cross-dressers to caress them in the dark room. Casa Roshell is a place where you never feel alone. No matter how tiny the utopia is, the world that lies beyond the doors is firmly shut outside.
Director Camila José Donoso delivers an extraordinary film. The main feeling given is that of observance, as what could have turned into voyeurism develops into an intimate, moving confession.