Frameline 42 - The Things That Make Us
A film about two trans people and their journey to learning to love their bodies.
Interview with Writers/Directors/Producers Fox Fisher and Owl Fisher
Watch The Things That Make Us here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Often films on trans people focus on the hardships and how people hate their bodies, so we wanted to make something different, and send a different message. We want trans people to celebrate the things that make them trans instead of feeling a sense of shame for themselves and their body.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you’re a trans person yourself, hopefully it will give you a sense of pride for being trans and help you make ways to love and celebrate your body. If you’re not a trans person, hopefully you will connect to it on the level of learning to love your body. We all struggle in some ways to love our bodies, and the message is that all the supposed flaws or imperfections are what make us beautiful.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
As trans people ourselves, this film is incredibly personal as well as touches on a topic about trans bodies. It’s therefore entwined as a person piece that deals with a universal issue that many trans people often deal with.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script took some time to work on, but once we got the message down it was relatively simple to write up, but as we started filming and editing it, a few things changed during the process.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have received very good feedback, mostly that it’s a very personal and a touching piece.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
We’re pleasantly surprised by people’s reactions and we hope that it will continue to inspire and help people.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Visibility about trans issues ultimately raises awareness of these issues and fosters understanding. Our hope is also that other trans people can relate to the story and therefore we would like to get that message out there.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Distribution and getting it out there is the main thing we always need help with, as we lack the resources and sometimes connection to get things out there or make them more known.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We would first and foremost like it to have a positive affect on the well-being of trans people and help them love their bodies and all the things that make them trans.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why are trans bodies always compared to the bodies of those that aren’t trans, and why is that seen as the end goal?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We are currently working on two fictional films, one about a trans woman and her neighbour who turns out to be transphobic, and another one on a road trip a few trans people embarked on in the 70’s in the UK to get medical help.
Interview: July 2018
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
The Things That Make Us
A film about two trans people and their journey to learning to love their bodies.
Length: 2:58
Director: Fox Fisher and Owl Fisher
Producer: Fox Fisher and Owl Fisher
Writer: Fox Fisher and owl Fisher
About the writer, director and producer:
FOX FISHER and OWL FISHER co-run the film project My Genderation that centers around celebrating trans lives and trans experiences. Their films have been shown in film festivals across the world as well as on the BBC and Channel 4.
Key cast: Fox and Owl
Looking for: Distributors, journalists
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mygenderation, www.facebook.com/thefoxfisher AND www.facebook.com/uglastefania
Twitter: @mygenderation, @thefoxfisher AND @uglastefania
Instagram: @mygenderation, @thefoxfisher AND @uglastefania
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
At the Frameline42 San Francisco Film Festival as a part of the Up Close & Personal Shorts Programme starting at 1:30PM.