REAL BOY – presented by DOK.fest Munich

  is presenting:

REAL BOY
D: Shaleece Haas
USA 2016, 72 Min., OmeU

After the screening we are happy to introduce local   TransMann e.V. organisation who will give further information about the trans*topic.

REAL BOY is telling the coming-of-age story about Bennett Wallace, a transgender teenager. On his way during the so called transition, he is managing his own special way of life as musician, friend, man and son. REAL BOY also tells about the people who came along Bennetts way, other trans*persons and at least the relationship to his mother Suzy who struggles with losing her daughter Rachel. The lyrics “I`ve been trying to say hello / You thought I was saying goodbye” of Bennetts song is trying to help his mother to understand. Together with his best friend Dylan – who has a complete opposite life full of respect and support from his family – they go through Dylans way of transition. Meanwhile another important person in Bennetts life – Joe Stevens a celebrated transman singer-songwriter – has to deal with his own demons.

Shaleece Haas is accompaning Bennett, his family and closest friends during a period of three and a half years. The result is a moving and touching film about growing up, the importance of own roots and the people to choose for living together. REAL BOY has become a popular favorite at numerous international queer film festivals.

Shaleece Haas
The queer filmmaker Shaleece Haas is based in Oakland, California. Her short film OLD PEOPLE DRIVING (2010) premiered at the Mill Valley Film Festival and was broadcasted on US television on PBS. In addition to her work as a producer and director, Haas teaches video storytelling at Berkeley School of Journalism. REAL BOY was realized with a kickstarter campaign, collecting over $50,000.

Filmography:
2010 Old People Driving (documentary / short film)
2013 Extreme by Design (TV documentary) (producer)
2013 The Genius of Marian (documentary) (co-producer)
2014 P.O.V. (TV documentary) (co-producer)

Genre: documentary
Director: Shaleece Haas
Producer: Sam Berliner, Shaleece Haas, Charlotte Lagarde, Kyle Ranson-Walsh, Marc Smolowitz
DoP: Shaleece Haas
Cutter: Andrew Gersh
Soundtrack: William Ryan Fritsch

Festivals and awards (selection):
Frameline Film Festival San Francisco 2016: Audience award, best documentary
TWIST – Seattle Queer Film Festival, Seattle 2016: Jury-award, best documentary