Having access to new digital technology is only part of the solution to making great film , you still need time, and skill, and a fresh way of telling a story. In the run up to the Identity programme of short films at Curzon Soho, we asked filmmakers to share with us the stories behind their films. Krissy Mahan explains the inspiration for her film My Aunt Mame……
Aunt Mame, represents all the older lesbians who fought less visibly but courageously to live their lives. Krissy explains, “I really did have an Aunt Mame, my maternal grandmother’s sister. My mom really did take us to visit her. In all my films I try to centre working class women, with different kinds of literacy levels, cultures, bodies, gender presentations/sexualities and of course economic and social access. I want working class people to see themselves presented fairly on screen. And to have some fun.”
For Mahan, animation allows her to convey social issues in an accessible yet powerful form. She describes that, “animation does give me power in a way that other film genres do not.” Aunt Mame is a down-to-earth yet enigmatic character who has no problems attracting the ladies, introducing the young Krissy to a different girlfriend on every visit. How does Mahan think Aunt Mame would feel about the film of her life?
“I hope that Aunt Mame would feel studly and proud of herself! Chances are though, she’d feel embarrassed. My family taught us that women should never be the centre of attention…but hopefully Aunt Mame is floating up on some cloud somewhere surrounded by a flock of adoring angel femmes, making them watch the movie about her!”
Krissy Mahan is also the creator of butch dyke superhero, Faggotgirl, a tireless warrior for social justice in Mahan’s quirky, sharp ‘dykeumentary’ films.
Identity short film programme is screening at Curzon Soho on Thursday 6 June. Click here to buy tickets. Click here to view the trailer.