Filmmaker Statement

I started writing When The Man Comes Around (WTMCA) in an attempt to make a modern-day western. Westerns have always followed people in the margins of society - cowboys, sex workers, bandits - and their struggle against the state and capital. WTMCA continues in this tradition while reframing the story to present-day: a trans camgirl fighting to define her own relationship to love and capital. WTMCA is a film that centers marginalized people. When making the film we were constantly thinking about how to most accurately and compassionately represent Polly, a trans sex worker. Polly is portrayed by Harlie Sullivan, a first-time professional actor and trans sex worker. Harlie brought a wealth of lived experiences to the role and delivered a uniquely great performance. I am incredibly proud of what she accomplished in this role and film, and I’m so honored to get to present it to the world. - Tommy