One foggy evening in the Normandy port town of Dieppe, solitary fisherman Erwan (Victor Grillot) stumbles into “The Bearded Mermaid,” a faded little cabaret that turns out to be anything but ordinary. Run by a fiercely committed trio of drag performers - firecracker Sweety Bon Bon (Maxime Sartori), anxious stage manager Beluga (Fabrice Morio), and gentle aerialist Alonso (Alonso Ojeda) - the cabaret is struggling to keep its doors open. Their dream? A glitter-filled, lip-sync-and-circus spectacle that will put them on the tourist map. But the road to stardom is paved with budget woes, small-town prejudice, and fragile egos.
The film isn’t a musical per se, but it does feature a few fun and spirited numbers. The production value is modest at best and the acting, while endearing, ranges from stiff to sweetly sincere. Still, there's something about the amatuer energy here that gives the film a surprising charm. Corny one-liners and awkward line deliveries are balanced by moments of real vulnerability and backstage camaraderie. When the seams show, there is always something that helps plaster over the cracks.
The Bearded Mermaid won’t have the broadest appeal. Its pace is uneven at times, and its most resonant jokes are insider nods that will speak loudest to queer audiences, drag fans, and anyone who’s ever pulled off a show on nothing but duct tape and determination. Theater kids, in particular, may find it relatable. While the film isn’t very K-12 classroom-friendly due to a brief sex scene and some adult language, it’s a solid pick for LGBTQIA+ film clubs looking for something heartfelt and offbeat. As Beluga says early on, “The noblest art is that of making others happy.” This little oddball of a film did just that. Recommended.
How Can The Bearded Mermaid Be Used in Pride Month Library Programming or a LGBTQ+ Film Series?
The Bearded Mermaid is a valuable addition to Pride Month film programming at libraries, community centers, and campus LGBTQ+ organizations. With its focus on drag performance, queer identity, and artistic self-expression in a small French town, the film is ideal for curating inclusive and thought-provoking events. It pairs well with titles featured in drag cinema retrospectives or queer performance film series, such as To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Tangerine, and Glitter & Doom. Librarians can use The Bearded Mermaid to spark conversations on local queer communities, the importance of safe creative spaces, and the enduring message that “the show must go on.” Whether part of a Pride Month celebration, film club discussion, or themed movie night, it offers educational and emotional resonance for diverse audiences.
Which academic disciplines and media education courses is The Bearded Mermaid suitable for?
The Bearded Mermaid is a valuable addition to academic film collections, particularly for college courses focused on Queer Cinema, Performance Studies, Cultural Anthropology, and French or Francophone Studies. Its unique blend of observational storytelling and narrative drama makes it ideal for instructors and media librarians seeking classroom-ready films that highlight LGBTQ+ identities, community-building in rural settings, and grassroots creative expression. Educators can use the film to prompt discussions on gender performance, DIY artistry, and queer resilience, while its French setting and cultural nuances make it useful for language and regional studies programs.