The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye

Writing in VL-11/12, reviewer Charles Cassady said: 'Filmmaker Marie Losier uses a jangly style borrowed from punk aesthetics (including Super 8 footage) to tell the story of one of the more interesting relationships in showbiz history—an emotional, artistic, and physical commitment between edgy arts-scene eccentrics. U.K.-born Genesis P-Orridge (born Neil Megson)—an outlandish pioneer in industrial music and sexually transgressive art—fronted the bands Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV, while also enjoying the patronage of William S. Burroughs, Derek Jarman, and other alt-scenesters. Relocating to New York City, Genesis met nursing student 'Lady Jaye' (aka Jacqueline Mary Breyer), an aspiring writer and uninhibited performance artist and professional dominatrix. The pair married on a Friday the 13th in 1993, with bride and groom each in role-reversal drag. Exemplifying a philosophy of "pandrogeny," the couple underwent mutual surgical procedures in order to look more like each other (including matched breast implants). The tale is told by Genesis, mixed with archival clips (mostly nonspeaking) of Lady Jaye. Genesis, an articulate and upbeat interviewee (albeit with a startling body-altered appearance), describes a truly idyllic union, although one can’t help but wish for additional narrative points-of-view to give a fuller dual bio (Genesis had two daughters when he met the love of his life, no details offered).' Re-released on DVD by Kino Lorber, this new edition of the 2011 documentary features extras including interviews with Lady Jaye and others, outtakes, and filmmaker Losier’s 2008 short 'Papal Broken-Dance.' A strong optional purchase. (R. Pitman)