The Queer Explorer

French travel documentary television series

The Queer Explorer

French| Les voyages de Nicky
Genre| Documentary
Created by| Nicky Doll and Maxime Donzel
Written by| Maxime Donzel and Nicky Doll
Directed by| Maxime Donzel
Presented by| Nicky Doll
Theme music composer| Josselin Bordat
Country of origin| France
Original language| French
No. of seasons| 1
No. of episodes| 4
Production
Running time| 51-52 minutes
Production companies|

* Effervescence Doc
* France Télévisions

Original release
Network| France 5
Release| 29 August 2023 (2023-08-29) –
present

The Queer Explorer (French: Les voyages de Nicky) is a French documentary television show on France 5 that debuted on August 29, 2023.[1][2][3] The series follows Nicky Doll as she explores queer communities and gender expression around the world. The first season consists of four episodes that showcase queer culture, LGBT rights and activism, and the art of drag in India, Greece, Mexico, and Japan.[4][5] On August 30, 2023, CAN'T STOP media announced that they have acquired the global distribution rights to the series.[6]

## Production[edit]

In an interview with Elle, Nicky Doll credited Anthony Bourdain and her own exposure to different cultures while living in France, Saint Martin, and Morocco as the inspiration for the show.[7] The series was one of two documentaries selected for France 5's 2023 summer programming out of 232 candidates.[8]

## Episodes[edit]

### Season 1 (2023)[edit]

No.
overall| No. in
season| Title| Original air date

|
|
|

1| 1| "En Inde"| August 29, 2023 (2023-08-29)
Nicky travels to India, where she goes sari shopping and navigates the backwaters of Kerala with Maya the Drag Queen. Nicky then visits a Hijra village founded by Grace Banu, a transgender activist. She then attends the Navratri festival in Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu, where men crossdress to pay respects to the goddess Kali. Nicky ends her trip with a Bollywood-style performance in Mumbai.[9][10]
2| 2| "En Grèce"| August 29, 2023 (2023-08-29)
Nicky meets the drag queen Kangela and watches her perform at the first and only queer comedy club in Athens. Nicky then sets sail for Sifnos, where she has a photoshoot with fashion photographer René Habermacher and meets a local sculptor. She then travels to Lesbos to meet one of the pioneers of the local lesbian community and discover Sappho's lasting imprint on the island.[11]
3| 3| "Au Mexique"| September 4, 2023 (2023-09-04)
Nicky travels to Juchitán, Oaxaca to learn about the Muxe community. She then makes her way to the city of Izamal to understand the ties between Mayan culture and today's LGBQT communities, followed by a performance with a local drag queen in a cenote. She then reunites with Lolita Banana in Mexico City for an initiation to lucha libre by Chik Tormenta, a conversation with Lolita's father, and a joint performance. While in Mexico City, Nicky discusses progress in transgender rights with Salma Luévano.[12]
4| 4| "Au Japon"| September 4, 2023 (2023-09-04)
Nicky explores the influence of geishas on drag queens in Osaka and the fluidity of gender roles in a Taishū engeki performance in Kyoto. She spends several days with Kodo Nishimura, a Buddhist monk and LGBQT activist, in Oshino. They discuss Kodo's path to becoming a monk, take a kimono class, and participate in a tea ceremony. Finally, Nicky attends Tokyo Rainbow Pride and talks to activists fighting for the legalization of gay marriage.[13]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "'Les voyages de Nicky': France 5 explore le genre et le drag au-delà des frontières". 20 Minutes. 29 August 2023. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
2. ^ "Dans 'Les Voyages de Nicky', Nicky Doll rencontre l'Inde queer et ses variations autour du genre". Télérama. 22 August 2023. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
3. ^ "'Les Voyages de Nicky': 'Je suis émue de faire la télé que j'aurais aimé voir il y a 20 ans'". Têtu. 28 August 2023. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
4. ^ "Les Voyages de Nicky, un docu-série tous publics porté par Nicky Doll, tisse des liens entre drag et traditions ancestrales". Konbini. 25 August 2023. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
5. ^ "'Les Voyages de Nicky' sur France 5: Tour du monde en 80 genres". Komitid. 24 August 2023. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
6. ^ "CAN'T STOP media acquires global distribution rights to "The Queer Explorer", a new docuseries produced for France Télévisions". 30 August 2023. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
7. ^ "Nicky Doll explore le genre dans le monde avec 'Les voyages de Nicky'. Rencontre". Elle. 30 August 2023. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
8. ^ "Télé : 'Les voyages de Nicky', avec la drag-queen Nicky Doll, et 'Ambre coiffure', retenus pour les docs d'été sur France 5". France Info. 2 February 2023. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
9. ^ "En Inde". 29 August 2023. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
10. ^ "Voyage en Inde avec Nicky Doll". France Inter. 29 August 2023. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
11. ^ "En Grèce". 29 August 2023. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
12. ^ "Au Mexique". 5 September 2023. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
13. ^ "Au Japon". 5 September 2023. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.

*[No.]: Number