Kimberly Peirce broke out with “Boys Don’t Cry” in 1999. She became fascinated with the story of Brandon Teena, a trans man in Nebraska, after his story (and horrific murder) was detailed in the Village Voice in 1993. At the time, Kim was recently out and dating women, though the term “lesbian” didn’t feel right. Contemporary gender ideas like “masculine of center” weren’t yet in common use. She was drawn to Brandon’s clarity around his identity despite the social pressures and violence he faced. Justin and Kim discuss their queer identities and once-radical language of acceptance that is now scrutinized in a rapidly accelerating conversation about gender.
Kim and Justin also discuss the artists that are inspiring their work today, from Donald Glover to Beyoncé to the filmmakers of the French New Wave, who openly depicted sexuality and freedom for women.
Kim’s film recommendations:
French and Italian New Wave Jules et Jim - Francois Truffaut
My Life to Live (Vivre Sa Vie) - Jean Luc Godard
8 1/2 - Frederico Fellini
The 400 Blows - Francois Truffaut
Breathless (À bout de souffle) - Jean-Luc Godard
La Atalante - Jean Vigo
Week-end - Jean-Luc Godard
Masculin - Feminin - Jean-Luc Godard
A Woman is a Woman - Jean Luc Godard
La Dolce Vita - Frederico Fellino
Accatone - Passolini
Pierrot Le Fou - Jean-Luc Godard
A Band of Outsiders - Jean-Luc Godard
Shot the Piano Player - Francois Truffaut
Love Italian Style - Vittorio De Sica
Others that have some French New Wave spirit in terms of romance and sex and fun, love of adventure and life:
Annie Hall - Woody Allen
Manhattan - Woody Allen
Y Tu Mama También - Alfonso Cuarón
When Harry Met Sally - Rob Reiner
Husbands - John Cassavetes
Blue is the Warmest Color
Bonnie and Clyde - Arthur Penn
The Graduate - Mike Nichols
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - George Roy Hill
A Star is Born (original) - William A. Wellman
Shampoo - Hal Ashby
Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Woody Allen