Covers the various stages and achievements in the life of iconic New Zealander Carmen Rupe.
Includes: Childhood in Taumarunui; compulsory military training at Papakura; Life in Auckland as a male nurse, and the awakening of sexual identity. After becoming more experienced in performance, moved to Sydney where they could further expand stage talents. After being arrested (then acquitted) for wearing women’s clothes in public, they never wore men’s clothes again and in 1968 changed their name by deed poll to Carmen and from then on lived as a woman. Carmen opened a cafe on Vivian St, Wellington called “Carmen’s International Coffee Lounge”. In 1977 Carmen stood for the Wellington Mayoralty. After moving to Kings Cross in Sydney for higher paid entertainment work, Carmen ended up staying nearly ten years.
Neil Gudsell (Mika) illustrates key moments in Carmen's life.
Also includes interviews with various friends and associates including sister Tess Hemapo; Phil Warren, Auckland promoter; pianist Billy Farnell; strip club owner Rainton Hastie; artist Graham Smith; talk show host Brian Edwards; Carmen campaign organiser 1977 Sir Robert Jones; ‘Balcony’ announcer Rosa Paterson.