Marie Losier’s documentary Peaches Goes Bananas follows musician Peaches on and off stage, premiering at the Venice Days sidebar.
Marie Losier’s latest documentary feature, Peaches Goes Bananas, has been picked up for international sales by Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever. This acquisition comes just before the film’s world premiere at the Venice Days sidebar, an independent section running concurrently with the Venice Film Festival.
Peaches Goes Bananas provides an intimate look at the life and career of Merrill Nisker, better known by her stage name Peaches. Nisker, a feminist queer icon, musician, and producer, is followed by Losier both on and off stage, showcasing her vibrant concerts, her close relationship with her sister Suri, and her unique creative process.
Losier, celebrated for her distinctive documentary style, has a history of acclaimed works. Her previous films include “The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye,” which won the Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2011, Cassandro El Exotico! which premiered in the Cannes ACID section in 2018, and Felix in Wonderland, which had its world premiere at Locarno in 2019. Losier’s contribution to the documentary genre was further recognized with a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2018, where all her films were acquired for the museum’s archives. A year later, her work was also celebrated at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Paris.
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In a statement about the documentary, Peaches expressed her deep connection with Losier: “There was a special feeling between Marie and I from the moment we met — a comfort, a joy, a creative force, a knowing. Marie’s style is all her own and I love her for that. There are such sacred moments captured on film that I will always cherish, especially since the passing of my sister and my father.”
Marc Nauleau, head of festivals at Best Friend Forever, praised Losier’s unique vision, stating that viewers will discover a new side of Peaches, not just as a performer but as a person. “The film is a cinematic proposition worthy of its subject, a beautiful encounter between two queens,” Nauleau added.
Peaches Goes Bananas is produced by Carole Chassaing at Tamara Films, Sébastien Andres, and Alice Lemaire at Michigan Films. Norte Distribution is set to release the film in France, while Galeries Distribution will handle the rollout in Belgium.
Best Friend Forever’s fall slate features other notable films, including Universal Language by Matthew Rankin, which won the Directors’ Fortnight Audience Award, and Shambhala by Min Bahadur Bham, a Berlinale competition selection set to screen at Locarno.
Peaches, known for her boundary-pushing work, has been honored with the Polaris Heritage Prize. Her music and persona have featured in various movies and TV shows, such as “Lost in Translation,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Broad City,” and “Sex Education.” Additionally, she has participated in major art events, including Art Basel Miami and the Venice Biennale.
The collaboration between Losier and Peaches in “Peaches Goes Bananas” promises to be a fascinating exploration of an artist who has continuously pushed the boundaries of music, performance, and gender norms. Losier’s documentary is expected to provide a fresh perspective on Peaches’ multifaceted life, capturing moments of both public triumph and personal reflection.
As anticipation builds for the film’s premiere at Venice Days, the addition of “Peaches Goes Bananas” to Best Friend Forever’s catalog signals a strong start to the fall festival season. The film’s combination of Losier’s directorial vision and Peaches’ dynamic persona is set to make a significant impact on audiences, offering an intimate look at one of the most provocative and influential artists of our time.
