Raminten Universe: Life is a Cabaret, Film Screening

Date: Thursday 18 June 2026

Start: 18:00:00

Venue: The Loading Dock Theatre @ Qtopia

Location: Darlinghurst

Price: $25 - $30

Experience a powerful story from Indonesia’s queer cultural underground and legendary drag cabaret, showing in Australia for the very first time. Presented by the Indonesian Queer Collective (IQC), a registered charity cultural organisation dedicated to advancing Indonesian queer arts and cultural visibility, this acclaimed documentary explores how a flamboyant drag persona created by cultural entrepreneur the late Hamzah Sulaiman evolved into an iconic cultural institution, Raminten Cabaret. It now stands as a lasting legacy following his passing last year. Produced by Dena Rachman and directed by award-winning filmmaker Nia Dinata, the documentary offers an intimate look at how performance spaces can become unexpected sites of belonging for artists across various identities. The 95-minute screening will be followed by a Q&A with Dena Rachman or Nia Dinata, either in person or via live Zoom. As part of this experience, guests will enjoy an Indonesian canapé tasting, which includes a curated culinary diplomacy moment. Audiences can explore three rice stations: nasi liwet (white rice), nasi kuning (turmeric yellow rice), and nasi pandan (fragrant green rice), with a selection of toppings such as vegetables, eggs, tempeh, and chicken. More than just a film night, this event invites audiences to watch, taste, and connect, discovering Indonesian queer culture through storytelling, conversation, and shared food.