Queen of the Deuce

Friday, May 24 - Thursday, June 6, 2024

Thursday, May 23: Sneak Preview + Q&A with director Valerie Kontakos and subjects Bondi Wilson Walters and Don Walters at 7:00 p.m., moderated by Greg Pappas (Greek American Foundation)

Friday, May 24 & Saturday, May 25: Q&As with director Valerie Kontakos and subjects Bondi Wilson Walters and Don Walters at 7:40 p.m.

From the late ’60s to the mid ’80s, in the notorious Times Square area known as the Deuce, the eccentric, Greek-born Chelly Wilson built a porn cinema empire and a reputation as one of the most savvy and charismatic figures on the scene.

With a cigarette in hand and bags of money stashed in the corner, Chelly regularly held court in her bunkerlike apartment above the legendary 8th Avenue all-male Adonis Theatre, summoning a lively cabal of associates, entertainers and fellow poker players, with her female lovers always hovering and grandchildren often underfoot. Yet few in her circle knew of the risks she took to get there.

Official Selection: DOC NYC

“A fascinating, colorful portrait… a rich mix of personal testimony, archive material and animation.” – Screen Daily

• Country Greece, Canada, Switzerland, USA
• Language English, Greek with English Subtitles
• Year 2022
• Running Time 78 minutes
• Format DCP
• Distributor Greenwich Entertainment
• Director Valerie Kontakos
• Cast Chelly Wilson
• Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.