Filmmaker Statement

I have always been so fascinated by kicklines. Growing up as a lesbian who always struggled to meet the expectations of femininity, I've always adored the intense precision of The Rockettes. Every bevel is militant. There is a violence fueling each and every perfectly-aligned high kick. It's the perfect embodiment of feminine gender performance - a demand that any person who has experienced girlhood feels the weight of, especially those of us who fail to meet those expectations. The Spectacular! is an expressionistic exploration of gender performance through dance and was made in deep collaboration with the incredible trans-masc dancer and actor, Kailin Brown. This film is for gender-non-conforming people and for dancers of all ages. It is also for any person who who carries multiple identities in their body. This is a film for anyone who experiences daily transformation, and for those who desire to transform.