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    Hunky Jesus
    ABOUT THE PROJECT

    LOGLINE
    HUNKY JESUS is a feature documentary that explores the legacy of the San Francisco chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a global, secular order of queer and trans "nuns" who combat guilt, shame, and exclusion through joy, humor, activism, and irreverence, serving their communities while challenging bigotry and redefining spirituality.

    SYNOPSIS
    In a world of conformity, HUNKY JESUS celebrates a radical community that challenges norms and spreads joy. At its heart are the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, larger-than-life figures who redefine self-expression through activism, satire, and compassion.

    Each year, their irreverent Easter Sunday pageant, Hunky Jesus, transforms a San Francisco park into sacred ground for seekers of all kinds: a pilgrimage of outsiders, misfits, and the spiritually curious who gather in search of belonging, inclusion, and divine fabulousness.

    Blending concert-driven footage from Hunky Jesus 2023 with sit-down interviews, Monty Pythonesque animation, and rare archival material, the film showcases the Sisters’ fearless artistry. Highlights include a 1987 “exorcism” at Union Square during Pope John Paul II’s visit to San Francisco, shortly after he declared homosexuality an “intrinsic evil.” As self-proclaimed “button-pushers,” the Sisters shine a spotlight on institutional hypocrisy, particularly within the Catholic Church.

    We capture their trickster spirit in interviews filmed at Grace Cathedral and the Park Hill Chapel, where their stories are illuminated by glorious stained glass. Shot with a theatrical aesthetic, the documentary presents the Sisters as cultural rockstars—shattering stereotypes, embracing authenticity, and forging a spiritual community that welcomes the marginalized.

    Inspired by the Maysles’ vérité approach and the surreal whimsy of Fellini, HUNKY JESUS unveils the Sisters’ humanity with honesty and compassion. Featuring a dulcet voice-over by the legendary George Takei and a haunting rendition of Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus” performed by the incomparable John Cameron Mitchell, the film is a heartfelt exploration of resilience, joy, and the transformative power of self-acceptance.

    PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature

    DIRECTOR Jennifer M. Kroot
    PRODUCER Brian Benson, Jennifer M. Kroot, Gerry Kim
    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Robert Holgate
    field producer Christine Yoo
    Cinematographers Frazer Bradshaw, Jason Joseffer
    EDITOR Alex Albers, Bill Weber
    Composer Michael Hearst

    Donate to Hunky Jesus

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    Federal Tax ID: 32-0295081

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    ID: 525