Expected to be in attendance: Director Shaleece Haas and Editor Andrew Gersh
When Bennett Wallace comes out as transgender, he embarks on a journey to find his voice––as a musician, a friend, a son, and a man. On the brink of young manhood, Bennett is excited about his future for the first time in years. But his mother, Suzy, suffers from deep misgivings about her child’s transition. As Suzy struggles to accept her son, Bennett is taken under the wing of his mentor, Joe Stevens, a celebrated trans musician fighting his own demons.
An intimate exploration of given and chosen family, Bennett’s story reminds us that our search for identity isn’t just personal; it affects those closest to us. Filmed over four years, REAL BOY is a testament to the healing power of music, the gift of mentorship, and the ways in which we all are capable of change.
“Hands down the best doc I’ve seen about a boy’s transition into manhood.” – Ian Harvie, Transparent