“Jean Carlomusto makes her films with heart, with grace, and with integrity... her portrait of Esther Newton unveils a living, breathing human being, a masculine of center, femme-loving, dog-loving, brilliant and articulate woman.”
— Janet Prolman,
“This is an amazing documentary about history, huge achievements, relationships, and competence. It will make you emotional, enthralled, and excited. A true embodiment of strength and endurance. To see the world through Esther’s eyes is a true privilege.”
— Casandra W,
“Inspired by Margaret Mead and Gertrude Stein, Newton forged a path for queer studies in academia, writing about drag artists and gender roles. Esther Newton Made Me Gay celebrates the life, loves, and influence of this pioneering figure in queer studies.”
— Garry M. Kramer,
“Through the frank recollections of Newton, now in her early 80s, Carlomusto takes in the dawn of gay liberation, infighting within the feminist movement, AIDS activism, and the history of the formation of the idyllic queer community of Fire Island’s Cherry Grove. Newton's story is of a life well-lived, full of love affairs with interesting women.”
— James Kleinmann,
“Esther Newton Made Me Gay is a ‘sigh of relief’ capable of empowering and liberating us, by focusing on the construction and recognition of identities and categories that have been somehow left behind...This film is a political witness that values and enriches dialog between generations.”
— Jury Statement for Best Documentary Award, Some Prefer Cake (Italy)
ABOUT THE FILM
LOGLINE
A feature documentary about a pathbreaking cultural anthropologist, dog agility enthusiast, and iconic butch lesbian. Now entering her eighth decade writing about queer communities, Esther Newton’s life’s work has influenced generations of activists and scholars.
LONG SYNOPSIS
ESTHER NEWTON MADE ME GAY explores the life and times of cultural anthropologist Esther Newton. Throughout her career, Esther was a pioneer—questioning and challenging status quo assumptions on gender, sexuality, and anthropological methods. Her work inspired generations of scholars to pursue research in what would eventually become the field of LGBTQ+ and Gender Studies.
The film tells her story of awakening to gay life in the 1950’s, the women’s liberation movement and lesbian-feminism, drag culture, and forging a butch identity which for her is now in conversation with trans-masculinity.
Keenly attuned to the cultural and societal forces that shaped her life, Esther guides us through an anthropology of herself, a study influenced by her love for a sport—competitive dog agility—that pairs her aging butch body with her beloved dog teammate on an obstacle course that is constantly changing.
In her persistent efforts to train her body back into shape after numerous health setbacks, we see the intense drive that has helped Esther navigate a lifetime of obstacles she faced in her quest to become who she wanted to be: a butch lesbian, scholar, and athlete.
Writer & Director Jean Carlomusto
Producers Shanti Avirgan, Jean Carlomusto
Archival Producer Olivia Streisand
Editor Jean Carlomusto
Co-editor Richard Miron
original music Gil Talmi
Directors of Photography Alex Rappoport, Jean Carlomusto, David Sampliner
Colorist Cody Ranaldo
Post Production Associate Carly Richman
Sound mix & design GISELA FULLÀ-SILVESTRE
Featuring Esther Newton, Holly Hughes, Louise Fishman, Amber Holibaugh, Shaka McGlotten, Tom “Panzi” Hansen, Jack Halberstam, Martin Manalansan, Gayle Rubin
FESTIVALS
2022: BFI Flare (World Premiere), 2022: Provincetown International (North America Premiere)
AWARDS
2022: BFI Flare (Best of Fest), 2022: Provincetown International (Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature), Jury Award—Best Documentary (Some Prefer Cake), Audience Award—Best Documentary (Some Prefer Cake), Jury Award—Best Documentary Feature (Out At The Movies, Winston-Salem)
AVAILABLE TERRITORIES
The World
EXHIBITION FORMATS
DCP, Digital Download
PRESS KIT
Download Press Kit
AVAILABLE PRESS IMAGES (click to preview)
