How to come alive with Norman Mailer: (a cautionary tale)

Jeff Zimbalist

Explore the rollercoaster life of America's most controversial and bestselling author of the 20th century. Propelled by his tremendous ego and contrarian spirit, Norman Mailer's ceaseless visibility in the public eye lasted six decades, during which he had six tumultuous marriages, nine beloved children, 11 bestsellers, three arrests, and two Pulitzer Prizes. The first project with full access to Mailer's family and their archive, the film unearths a treasure trove of intimate and never-before-seen footage, outtakes, audio recordings, and interviews from throughout his life. As a lover, fighter, rabble-rouser, and perhaps the last true American public intellectual, he seeks most of all to become a bolder, better human being and encourages us to do the same: to think adventurously, speak fearlessly, and care less about the response ... or risk a doomed future. 

T

Jitesh Kumar Parida

Since the Transgender Day of Remembrance is an international holiday, it’s powerful to note how transgender people around the world engage in their own liberation and how film portrays that within a filmmaker’s culture. T (2023) showcases the true story of Odisha native Meghna Sahoo, the first known transgender cab driver-owner in India. The film chronicles her difficult childhood, and oftentimes dangerous youth in sex work. In this work, however, Meghna finds community with other trans women, and eventually takes on a position as a community and business leader. At the same time, the Indian Supreme Court passes its landmark 2014 ruling that declares transgender people as a protected “third gender”, a very different social context compared to our own Canadian legislation.