FilmOUT 2024 Opening Night Film F.L.Y.
F.L.Y.
Thursday September 12, 7pm | After Party
Directors: Rafael Albarran & Trent Kendrick, 105 min, USA
Ex-boyfriends, Max and Rafael (played by Trent Kendrick & Rafael Albarran) who have not seen each other in five years, unexpectedly reunite when the COVID-19 pandemic forces them into quarantine together. Max, now a freelance editor in Los Angeles, has built a new life with his fitness instructor boyfriend, Hunter. Meanwhile, Rafael has embraced their non-binary identity and is pursuing a passion for drag, aspiring to become a drag superstar. As they navigate the challenges of lockdown, Max and Rafael rediscover their connection and learn to celebrate living their truth, embracing the unpredictable journey of self-discovery and love. With Alexeev Dismuke & Pixie Aventura.
Co-Writer/Director Trent on where the story came from:
The idea was born in the house that the film takes place while I was dog-sitting Harry, who also stars in the film. Though it is a fictional story, there’s a lot we took inspiration from in real life, because as indie filmmakers I think you have to figure out what you have within your means to make a movie and use that. This was very much us doing that and I think tapping those resources made it possible for us to make the movie look much more expensive than it actually was.
Co-Writer/Director Rafael on the meaning of F.L.Y.
It is revealed in the very last frame of the film, and it always causes a reaction. It creates a beautiful surprised because people are not expecting, people have all these ideas of what it is and when it is revealed it really pays it forward. And we don’t want to tell you (laughs) you have to come out and watch it and see what it means.
On the Importance of independent films and film festivals like FilmOut
Rafael: Film Festivals like FilmOut are very important, they give access to the community for what the community is so thirsty for. We are coming to our year end of our festival run and we been so lucky over 30 festivals, and I have been lucky enough to have made in in person to most of them. The experience has been so overwhelmingly beautiful that there is no money that could give me what that has given me.
Trent: but they are so, so important! Festivals like FilmOut give indie filmmakers like me a platform to share our work and build community. Otherwise, it feels virtually impossible to rise up as an artistic voice in this industry. It’s a bit soul crushing to be an artist these days if I’m being completely honest, and then you have these wins along the way-like being chosen to be the opening night film at FilmOut. I am just so humbled and so grateful. I will never forget this opportunity we have been given and the support extended to us by FilmOut San Diego- and every festival that has made space for us along this journey. Being able to watch our movie with an audience is such a rewarding and cathartic experience.