Daryen Ru

Co-Director of “Denim”
PROGRAM 2 Friday, November 8, 2019 at 8pm
?ASL/Captioned for Deaf/HH

What inspired you to make Denim?

I conceived the idea for the movie at the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency in 2016. I was (and still am) infuriated by the president’s  discrimination of the LGBTQIA+ community.

 

What was the greatest joy or happy surprise while making this film?

So many people donated their time to working on the film and it was incredibly heartwarming. People really care about the topic and were more than willing to put their energy into it.

 

What was the greatest challenge or fear while making this film?

Raising funds was incredibly difficult and was actually the hardest part of making the film. We had a lot of people on social media, including amazing talents such as Ilana Glazer and Ian McKellen, share about the project, but reaching our fundraising goal was still a struggle. With the support of many people, we finally got there.

 

What are one or two of your favorite films? What makes those films great?

It won’t do me well to share this, but Shrek and Harry Potter. They are self explanatory in their greatness I think.

 

What is your ideal future for trans and non-binary representation in media?

That trans & non-binary individuals are playing characters that are not dependent on how they represent but on what their talent allows.

 

What’s next for you as a filmmaker or as an artist?

I am working on some documentaries going forward about physical and mental health.

Denim

Directed by
Daryen Ru + Lucas McGowen

PROGRAM 2
Friday, November 8, 2019 at 8pm
?ASL/Captioned for Deaf/HH
Roxie Theater

On a regular day at school, Micayla is outed as transgender when a rival classmate vengefully takes a photo of her using the girl’s bathroom.

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