DIRECTOR STATEMENT

While working on this project I’m continuously reminded of Ace and I as kids. Seven year old rugrat “tomboys” knowing nothing about gender, binary, sexuality or any social construct really - but even then we saw something different in each other that has bonded us for a lifetime. We’re as close to the people we’re each meant to be as ever, and it feels amazing to combine our insights to tell a story from Ace’s perspective that ultimately connects us all.

We've set up a world where everyone feels like they know what’s about to happen simply by aligning a couple social cues. Woman. Alone. Night. From there we shift into our lead, Ash's perspective, having lived experiences on both ends, he’s our key to seeing this familiar scene differently and begin questioning our complacency. Once we meet Ash, we spend a lot of time with him, learning how he’s adapted to react in this environment.

This story isn’t the kind meant to give you the answer at the end. There isn’t a big 180 where everyone knows how to fix this or be ok with it or even grow from it. It’s the kind that is meant to share someone’s truth and start a conversation about how we’ve been socialized to perceive and perform gender.

Ace has been fully involved from pre through post acting as our north star. I’m really excited to have cast an incredibly talented trans-masculine performer, Izaiah DB, for this dynamic role and to have worked alongside our QT BIPOC community to create a film that authentically represents Ace’s experience.