Hot Docs - Take a Walk on the Wildside
Opening the doors to Toronto’s oldest cross-dressing stores, viewers get a glimpse into the colourful lives of the customers and their tender relationships with the eccentric storeowner, revealing that Wildside continues to play a vital role for Toronto’s cross-dressing community.
Interview with Writer/Director Lisa Rideout
Watch Take a Walk on the Wildside on DAFilms
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! After meeting Wildside’s storeowner Paddy, I began to sit in and observe her working days. Witnessing the genuine and warm connections she had with each of her customers really inspired me. Each customer had a different reason for visiting Wildside but all of them were approached with the same care from Paddy. I wanted to make this film to show why places like Wildside (in the age of online shopping) are still relevant. I also wanted to showcase the importance of human connection and to illustrate that people cross-dress for a variety of reason.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The film is a fly on the wall view of a day in the life of Wildside. From opening to closing four customers come into Wildside and interact with Paddy. If audience members are curious about why someone would cross-dress this is the film to watch. I also like to say the film is an experience akin to walking by a house, looking in the window and wondering what is happening in there. Audiences will see what happens behind the close doors of Wildside.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
It was important for me to show personal experiences in this film. A question I often get asked when people find out I’m doing the film is, why do people cross-dress. And I always say, well it depends on the person. So I wanted to illustrate that individuality rather than make a sweeping generalization.
But what did emerge as universal was that even though each customer had their own reason for cross-dressing they sought a place where they could be supported. When I first visited Wildside I wondered why people would go there when they could just buy wigs or shoes online or go on youtube if they needed help with makeup. But what became clear was that they were seeking out human connection with someone they could trust. They could tell Paddy they wanted to cross-dress, which maybe they could not tell anyone else. And they could be encouraged by her to do so. I think this theme is important in an age when every thing can be done digitally - that human connections and community still play such an important role.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script was ever evolving. There were many ways we could have tackled the narrative. Wildside has been opened for the past thirty years and has been a pillar in the cross-dressing community. Having such a rich history was wonderful but also challenging because I wondered how we would fit the story into a short film. In the end the script emerged from my experience sitting in the store and watching Paddy. I thought this is how we will tell the story of the heart of Wildside, through Paddy’s experiences with her customers.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback so far has been great. A goal of mine was to reach an audience that would otherwise not watch a documentary about cross-dressers. A dear republican family member of mine who in the past would not use the pronoun “she” for someone who had transitioned from male to female sent me some amazing feedback. He felt the way the narrative was treated, as a fly on the wall portrait, rather than something overtly political, really allowed him to watch the film and appreciate why the customers were there. I’m hoping others that would not seek out a film like this will watch and have a similar experience.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Some of the feedback that has been a bit challenging was when I was asked to showcase that it was easier now for cross-dressers than in the past. Which from my conversations with many cross-dressers, is just not the case for all of them. For some people yes, for some people no. This suggestion to make a generalization about a group of people who all have different experiences was challenging. It really reinforced my goal of showcasing individuality.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I’d like to connect with anyone interested in the film or topic. We’re always open to community screenings if there is interest. We are also premiering on April 29th at the Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival, so any Toronto readers, we’d love to see you there.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We’re looking for educational buyers/distributors. We would love to have this film be part of an educational curriculum. And for film festival directors because the film can’t play too many festivals.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I’d love this film to challenge peoples’ preconceived notions of who cross-dressers are and why they cross-dress. I hope that being able to see cross-dressers as individual humans allows audience members to connect and empathize with them. And that this connection encourages acceptance.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why do people cross-dress?
Will online shopping replace stores?
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am currently developing a short documentary that emerged from Take a Walk on the Wildside, which is about a transgender sex worker starting her own fashion line.
Sasha Fisher, one of the producers, is going into production on her documentary web series Kacie and Sasha in Haiti, which is a comprehensive look at a side of Haiti the world doesn’t have access to.
Interview: April 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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Take a Walk on the Wildside
Opening the doors to Toronto’s oldest cross-dressing stores, viewers get a glimpse into the colourful lives of the customers and their tender relationships with the eccentric storeowner, revealing that Wildside continues to play a vital role for Toronto’s cross-dressing community.
Length: 15 mins
Director: Lisa Rideout
Producer: Sasha Fisher, Lisa Rideout
Executive Producer: Lauren Grant
Writer: Lisa Rideout
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takeawalkonthewildsidefilm/
Funders: Bravo Factual
Made in association with: Lifted Eyes Media, Clique Pictures
Where can I see it in the next month?
At Hot Docs International Documentary Festival in Toronto. On April 29th or May 1st. Screening details: http://boxoffice.hotdocs.ca/WebSales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=62788~a4ecaa3d-d17e-4b8e-a995-0771bb3212fc&