Frameline Film Fest: The Believers June 17, 2006

The Believers

Recipient of a 2005 Frameline Film & Video Completion Fund grant, The Believers documents the journey of the world’s first transgender gospel choir. The film takes us from the choir’s shaky beginnings —a heartwarmingly chaotic, cacophonous group unable to agree on much of anything, arguing over appropriate wardrobe and learning to sing with transitioning voices —through their transformation into the polished, award-winning choir and close-knit family they are today, garnering major performances and winning an Outmusic Award in 2004 for the album Whosoever Believes.

Shot over a period of three years in San Francisco, The Believers focuses on 15 core members of the choir as they learn to sing professionally. Their intimate personal stories shed light on the complexity of balancing social change, family history, religion and identity. At the heart of their dilemma is a struggle for acceptance within two worlds historically at odds with one another. As one of the film’s subjects eloquently says, “I’m living in a window. I get to see both sides.”

The Believers is a unique story of determination and perseverance and an important look at the intricacy and diversity of spirituality and the LGBT community.

—JUSTIN KOLLING

The Transcendence Gospel Choir will attend this screening.

THE BELIEVERS dir Todd Holland 2006 USA 80 min video

Recipient of the Frameline Film & Video Completion Fund

This program is sponsored by BioScrip Pharmacy.

Official Website: http://www.frameline.org/festival/30th/filmsevents.html