This portrait of courage under fire celebrates NYC’s first openly transgender firefighter. For Brooke Guinan, fighting fires runs in her blood – both her father and grandfather served in the FDNY. But as a transgender woman, her path to service has not been without obstacles. Transitioning from male to female in what is still an overwhelmingly macho profession proves a challenge for her coworkers and her family, while her boyfriend reckons with the impact of Brooke’s newly public profile on his parents.

Interview with Writer/Director Julie Sokolow

Watch on Prime Video and iTunes

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I first learned about Brooke Guinan in 2014 when her story went viral. There was this inspiring poster of her in a “So Trans So What” t-shirt and firefighting gear that ended up everywhere from the Huffington Post to MSNBC. I loved that Brooke was entering the spotlight first and foremost as a hero. I couldn’t imagine the challenges she must face being the only openly trans firefighter in a force of over 10,000 firefighters. I knew she had a story to tell.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

As a female filmmaker navigating a male-dominated career path, I’ve learned a lot about courage from Brooke, and I think others will as well. Brooke’s had to assert her identity in the face of her traditional upbringing, school bullying, and a macho work culture. Now she’s a prominent role model. I think her story can help others find the confidence to live more bravely and authentically.

Woman On Fire - Brooke Guinan in her firehouse in Astoria, Queens.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Brooke is a third-generation firefighter whose father and grandfather were both FDNY firefighters. Her dad was also a 9/11 first responder. The film is partly about this really unique father-daughter relationship that exists both at home and in the workplace. So even if you’re new to LGBTQ issues, you can probably relate to the family dynamics of the film. We all have those tensions between who we are and who our families want us to be.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

As I got to know Brooke, I realized there was a fascinating love story unfolding between her and her partner Jim Baker. So I followed them as they bought their first house together, considered marriage, and struggled with obstacles surrounding their families and acceptance. In documentary filmmaking you always have to allow room for the surprises of your subjects’ unpredictable lives.

Woman On Fire - Lieutenant George Guinan and firefighter Brooke Guinan.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We premiered Woman on Fire at DOC NYC 2016 and it was magical. On our premiere night, Brooke’s entire family came out and enjoyed the movie with the audience. The Village Voice and IndieWire highlighted us as one of the best films of the festival. The film took a lot of grueling work, but it was definitely worth making.

At the Chicago Feminist Film Festival, we connected with many incredible women and LGBTQ people who got to see the film and meet Brooke in person. We’re really looking forward to screening the film this June 2017 during LGBTQ Pride Month.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Salon reporter Nico Lang wrote a thought-provoking piece about how Woman on Fire connects to the broader political battles within the FDNY. Currently, there are only 52 female firefighters in a force of over 10,000 firefighters, which is less than 1%. We were glad that the film could tell Brooke’s very personal, character-driven story while connecting to this broader political issue of LGBTQ and women’s equality in the workplace.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We’d love for people to connect with us on social media and learn about upcoming screenings and our broader release.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We already have a great team behind the film. We’re still playing film festivals and making distribution decisions, but looking forward to sharing the film widely.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

Broad audiences have been responding warmly to Brooke, her family, and her love story. They enjoy learning about the NY fire department and having their eyes opened to the struggle for equal rights in that particular workplace. The Chicago Feminist Film Festival included the film in their program and we just won Best LGBT film at the Oxford Film Festival. So I think you can access the film on a variety of levels – as a LGBTQ film, a feminist film, but most of all, a character-driven story about an amazing person.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

What would American society look like with true equal rights for LGBTQ people and women?

Would you like to add anything else?

Thanks for the interview!

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I’m developing a new documentary feature. Also, my short film The John Show is playing the Cinequest, Omaha, and Florida Film Festivals soon. Producer Danny Yourd just directed an amazing short film called The Wizard, Oz, which is playing film festivals around the country.

Interview: March 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Woman on Fire

Length: 84 minutes

Director: Julie Sokolow

Producer: Danny Yourd

Writer: Julie Sokolow

About the writer, director and producer:

Director:

Julie Sokolow is the award-winning director behind Healthy Artists (2012-4), Aspie Seeks Love (2015) and Woman on Fire (2016).

Producer:

Danny Yourd is the producer behind the Sundance-winning documentary Blood Brother (2013) and Almost Holy, which played the Tribeca Film Festival in 2015.

Key cast: Brooke Guinan, George Guinan, Jim Baker

Social media handles:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womanonfirefilm/

Twitter: @womanonfiredoc

Instagram: @julie.sokolow

Other: www.womanonfirefilm.com

Production Company: Animal

Additional Funders: Frameline Completion Fund

Where can I see it in the next month?:

Florida Film Festival (in April)