Seattle International Film Festival - The Most Dangerous Year
In 2016 a group of Washington State families with transgender kids join the fight against a wave of discriminatory anti-transgender legislation sweeping through the nation and into their home state. With the help of a coalition of state lawmakers and civil rights activists, these families embark on an uncharted journey of fighting to protect and preserve their children's inalienable human rights and freedoms in this present-day civil rights movement.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Vlada Knowlton
Watch The Most Dangerous Year on Prime Video, Kanopy and Vudu
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! I made the film because transgender people's human and civil rights are currently under attack in our country and many other countries around the world. I thought it was important to document this small chapter within the overall fight for transgender equality as it unfolded because it's important for people to see what effect discriminatory laws can have on individuals and communities. It's important for people to see real trans adults, real trans children and their families, and understand that they are just ordinary people who want the same things as all other human beings; to live a life in which they can be free to simply be themselves.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The majority of people still know very little about what it means to be born transgender, why these "bathroom bills" have been making their way into state legislatures, and what the "fuss" is about. This film is crafted for a general, mainstream audience. I think most people's questions are answered in very straightforward and simple terms. It's an easy film to watch and you walk away having learned a lot.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
One of the kids featured in this film is my daughter. So there is the personal theme of me as a mother fighting for the life and future of my own child. I think that part is very easy for any parent to relate to. The film also has the universal themes of people striving for equality and justice, and of overcoming and defeating one of the most detrimental causes of bigotry: fear.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Given that I was shooting and writing as the events unfolded, I didn't know what the results of the anti-transgender bills and the anti-transgender ballot initiative would be. I had to be prepared to shoot all the way through November if the ballot initiative had succeeded in getting enough signatures and qualifying for the November vote. And obviously in that case the vote could have gone in either direction.
However, what I did know from the beginning was that the ending would invariably include a win for the parents in this movie, regardless of the results of the political battle. That win was due to one factor and one factor only: their decision to accept and support their children for exactly who they are.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far the feedback has all been very positive and enthusiastic. But most of the feedback has come from people who are already allies in the transgender rights struggle. The film has yet to have its public premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival so we'll see how that goes!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
The purpose of this film is to educate and inform. In order to do that it's important to try to get it to as wide an audience as possible. Having visibility on We Are Movies helps in that regard.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Distributors, film festival directors, journalists, sales agents, buyers.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like this film to educate people on what it means to be transgender and help cisgender people to understand that transgender people are ordinary human beings not unlike themselves. I would also like for this film to address and dismantle the damaging myths, misconceptions, and lies about transgender people that have pervaded our society.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
My own perspective is that a so-called "debate" about whether or not transgender people deserve the same human and civil rights as everyone else is not actually a legitimate debate. Innocent people's human and civil rights should not be up for debate or discussion, period. However, a "conversation" about how to achieve a societal acceptance and understanding of transgender people is valid, I think. Therefore perhaps a question such as "why are people afraid of transgender people and what can we do to allay that fear?" could be useful.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Getting this film out to the world.
Interview: May 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. 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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The Most Dangerous Year
In 2016 a group of Washington State families with transgender kids join the fight against a wave of discriminatory anti-transgender legislation sweeping through the nation and into their home state. With the help of a coalition of state lawmakers and civil rights activists, these families embark on an uncharted journey of fighting to protect and preserve their children's inalienable human rights and freedoms in this present-day civil rights movement.
Length: 89 minutes
Director: Vlada Knowlton
Producer: Vlada Knowlton
Writer: Vlada Knowlton
About the writer, director and producer:
Vlada Knowlton is a Seattle-based filmmaker. Her first documentary feature, Having It All, was the anchor program for KCTS9's “Women Who Inspire” series in August 2015, and went on to also be broadcast by Oregon Public Broadcasting. Her latest film, The Most Dangerous Year, was awarded the Professional Grant from Women in Film Seattle and is premiering at The Seattle International Film Festival in 2018. Vlada holds a doctorate in Cognitive Science from Brown University, and worked at Microsoft prior to her filmmaking career.
Key cast: Aidan Key, Annabelle Knowlton, Cyrus Habib, Joe Fain
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMostDangerousYear/
Twitter: @VladaKnowlton
Funders: Women In Film/Seattle, 4Culture
Where can I see it in the coming months?
Seattle International Film Festival in May 29th and June 2nd 2018