Betsy Kalin’s ‘Lesbians in Boystown’ drops teaser trailer
Award-winning director/producer/writer Betsy Kalin is interested in telling stories about real people who are passionate about their work, community, and creating change.
In her up-and-coming documentary Lesbians in Boystown, she hopes to honor queer women who have contributed to the Creative City of West Hollywood while asking questions around how to build and maintain community.
The teaser trailer went up on December 10 and featured some very familiar lesbian and queer-identified women in West Hollywood.
Lesbians in Boystown ‘will correct the record’
Speaking about Kalin’s work at the June L. Mazer Lesbian Archives, Angela Brinskele stated: “More lesbian history has been made to disappear than we ever have been able to preserve.”
As people move, retire, or pass away, their accomplishments may be overlooked by younger generations and new residents. Lesbians in Boystown will correct the record by showing that lesbians impacted the city from the beginning and are still making a difference today.
The documentary looks at lesbians’ involvement in business, politics, arts/culture, and health from the 1980s to the present. It also explores how- since the late 90s- lesbian businesses like cafes, bars, and bookstores have been disappearing across the United States.
Spotlight on the director
It has been said that any film project is ultimately about its director- Who is Betsy Kalin, and why does she make films like Lesbians in Boystown?
Kalin earned a bachelor’s degree in women’s and gender studies at Columbia College at Columbia University and was especially drawn to women’s and LGBTQIA history.
Her background is in social impact strategies, outreach and engagement campaigns, and educational distribution. She later received a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Miami.
“I am drawn to exploring how people confront issues that stem from social structures or systemic problems in their lives,” Kalin was reported to have said per UCF Nicholson School of Communication and Media.
She founded Itchy Bee Productions in 1997, a full-service production and distribution company. The company is committed to creating positive social change through its films and extensive impact campaigns.
Betsy Kalin on storytelling
“Filmmaking blends my activism, interest in history, and the ability to express my creativity through storytelling,” she explained. The director has said that her award-winning films “tell LGBTQIA stories that combine these elements with a quirky sensibility and humor.”
“One of the biggest challenges with making impactful social justice films is to engage audiences and I believe that including humor with heart makes exploring difficult topics more accessible to a broad audience,” she added.
Kalin strongly believes in the power of storytelling to inspire dialogues, challenge perceptions and educate a wide audience around issues of human rights, peacebuilding, and social and environmental justice.
“My goal is to continue my work as a social impact documentary filmmaker and educator,” she said.
Sources: