ABOUT THE PROJECT
LOGLINE
HUNKY JESUS traces the legacy of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who’ve used humor and shock value to expose the forces of bigotry and guilt that chain the human spirit.
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
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