The Sexual (and Gender) Revolution with Kimberly Peirce

Kimberly Peirce broke out with “Boys Don’t Cry” in 1999. She became fascinated with the story of Brandon Teena, a trans man in Nebraska, after his story (and horrific murder) was detailed in the Village Voice in 1993. At the time, Kim was recently out and dating women, though the term “lesbian” didn’t feel right. Contemporary gender ideas like “masculine of center” weren’t yet in common use. She was drawn to Brandon’s clarity around his identity despite the social pressures and violence he faced. Justin and Kim discuss their queer identities and once-radical language of acceptance that is now scrutinized in a rapidly accelerating conversation about gender.

Kim’s film recommendations:

French and Italian New Wave Jules et Jim - Francois Truffaut

My Life to Live (Vivre Sa Vie) - Jean Luc Godard

8 1/2 - Frederico Fellini

The 400 Blows - Francois Truffaut

Breathless (À bout de souffle) - Jean-Luc Godard

La Atalante - Jean Vigo

Week-end - Jean-Luc Godard

Masculin - Feminin - Jean-Luc Godard

A Woman is a Woman - Jean Luc Godard

La Dolce Vita - Frederico Fellino

Accatone - Passolini

Pierrot Le Fou - Jean-Luc Godard

A Band of Outsiders - Jean-Luc Godard

Shot the Piano Player - Francois Truffaut

Love Italian Style - Vittorio De Sica

Others that have some French New Wave spirit in terms of romance and sex and fun, love of adventure and life:

Annie Hall - Woody Allen

Manhattan - Woody Allen

Y Tu Mama También - Alfonso Cuarón

When Harry Met Sally - Rob Reiner

Husbands - John Cassavetes

Blue is the Warmest Color

Bonnie and Clyde - Arthur Penn

The Graduate - Mike Nichols

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - George Roy Hill

A Star is Born (original) - William A. Wellman

Shampoo - Hal Ashby

Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Woody Allen