A feature documentary about a once-forgotten dance reborn as a global force for queer rights.
Currently in post-production,
thanks to support from:
The Premise
Princess Lockeroo is the reigning force behind waacking, a dance born in 1970s Los Angeles clubs that nearly disappeared during the AIDS crisis, but is now booming with popularity across the globe.
Mentored by original waacking icon, Tyrone Proctor, Lockeroo found healing and purpose through the dance. Since his passing in 2020, she is determined to carry on the legacy of waacking’s origins. Her mission: to build the first American waacking company in decades, The Fabulous Waack Dancers, and train them to compete in one of the world’s largest street dance competitions in Guangzhou, China.
The History
In the gay, underground disco clubs of 1970's Los Angeles an effeminate street dance emerged called waacking.
The dance provided a safe outlet of expression for queer men of color. Over the next decade, waacking leapt from the shadows of the club to the glitter of the stage after its stars formed the dance troop “The Outrageous Waack Dancers.” They showcased their moves with Diana Ross at Caesars Palace in 1973 and on the TV program, Soul Train. But just as waacking gained momentum the AIDS crisis struck, devastating the gay community and the dance nearly disappeared with its creators.
The Characters
The film follows the Fabulous Waack Dancers, a diverse group of New York based dancers, each with a powerful personal story and a larger-than-life waacking alter ego.
From overcoming discrimination and disability to navigating immigration and identity, their journeys reveal how this vibrant dance form becomes a tool for empowerment, self-expression, and community.
The Untold Story
No—it’s not voguing.
While Voguing emerged from New York’s ballroom scene, waacking was born in the disco-fueled gay clubs of Los Angeles. Waacking is faster and funkier as it emerged from clubs playing underground disco that was often sped up.
And while voguing has been widely documented in films like Paris Is Burning, waacking’s story is still waiting to be told.
The Production
We have spent over four years bringing this independent documentary to life, filming in New York, Los Angeles, and China.
The film has been made possible through the support of generous donors, foundations, and a grassroots creative team committed to telling this story. We are raising funds to complete post-production and bring the film to audiences worldwide.
The Film Team
This film is being made by and in partnership with seasoned filmmakers and the waacking community.
Aaron Matthews
Director / Supervising Editor
Is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose films have screened at over fifty film festivals around the world, as well as on TV and Streaming. He produced and edited the 2021 Academy Award® winning documentary short, Colette, MARVEL’s Director By Night and CNN’s Emmy-nominated Without Roe. He’s directed several documentaries, including The War and Peace of Tim O’Brien, currently streaming on Amazon and Apple TV, The Paper, A Panther in Africa and My American Girls, all broadcast on PBS’s POV, and Independent Lens series. He is a past Sundance Editor fellow.
Samara Cohen
Director / Main Character
AKA Princess Lockerooo, The Queen Of Waacking, is a dancer, producer, educator and activist and current fellow at the Royal Society for Arts. She has been showcased on many of the entertainment industry's leading television platforms including Harry Connick Jr., Wendy Williams, and So You Think You Can Dance. Cohen has produced entertainment for numerous events, including Lincoln Center, Summerstage, The Guggenheim’s works-in-progress and Bali Spirit Festival. She is regularly invited to judge dance battles around the world.
Sarah Jenks
Producer
Is a queer documentary filmmaker and journalist. She has been a producer on several documentaries, including 2021 Academy Award® winning documentary short Colette, as well as MARVEL’s Director by Night, HBO’s Savior Complex, Electronic Art’s The Last Warriors, and Matthew’s film, The War and Peace of Tim O’Brien. She Co-Directed the documentary short The Vet Van, which premiered at DOC NYC in the fall of 2020. She has also worked as a digital producer for PBS — NOVA. She is a graduate, previous duPont fellow and adjunct professor at Columbia Journalism School.
Harold O’Neal
Producer
Is an acclaimed pianist, composer and music producer who most recently served as creative consultant on Pixar's Academy Award® winning film, Soul. He has recorded and performed with a variety of artists including U2, Lupe Fiasco, Aloe Blacc, Jay Z. O'Neal has been profiled by numerous publications and programs including Forbes, NPR's All Things Considered, Fortune, Studio 360, and the 92Y. The New York Times compared his works to Duke Ellington and Maurice Ravel, marking his place among this generation's greatest pianists and composers.
Support Our Film
Join the movement! We are seeking additional funds to cross the finish line.
Press
Want to learn more? Here’s some press about Waacking from the last few years.