EXCLUSIVE: Lilly Wachowski has joined the untitled Chicago-based queer documentary as govt producer below her Anarchists United Studios banner.
The documentary, which is in manufacturing and in search of donations and personal funding, comes from administrators Shelley Gustavson and Curtis Matzke and highlights Leslie Anderson, a conservator who research a technology of Leathermen and Leatherwomen misplaced to AIDS. Deep inside the basement of Chicago’s Leather-based Archives & Museum, Leslie works to protect the objects of queer elders left behind, in addition to the recollections of their group, whereas concurrently happening a journey of self-discovery and reconnecting with folks from their very own life earlier than it’s too late.
Anarchists United Studios, an entirely owned subsidiary of the Anarchists United Basis, develops and produces movie, TV reveals and different media. Its core focus is on style motion pictures with budgets below $10 million, however the studio additionally will incubate larger movies, lengthy type collection, microbudget movies and digital collection together with numerous different alternatives in leisure and media which help artistry, range, and fairness. Moreover, the studio is curating a choose portfolio of documentaries of which the Leslie Anderson movie might be an element.
Wachowski has a protracted historical past of supporting impartial tasks in Chicago that elevate numerous voices and subject material.
“We’re thrilled to have Lilly and her great workforce assist carry Leslie’s story to life,” stated Matzke, who additionally serves because the movie’s cinematographer. “It’s essential now greater than ever to speak about these private tales and be reminded of the advanced historical past of LGBTQ+ rights on this nation.”
This marks the primary collaboration between Matzke and Gustavson, staples of the Chicago movie group who’re greatest identified for his or her style work and impartial screenwriting. The filmmakers instantly had been drawn to the underlying metaphor of Anderson’s work as an archivist and the way they view themselves as a relic left behind from one other period.
“As somebody who has identified Leslie for years, I knew I needed to assist share their expertise with an viewers,” emphasised Gustavson. “We need to contain the group within the processes as a lot as potential, which is why we’re elevating funds now to increase the scope of Leslie’s story.”
This new spherical of funding will primarily be used to pay for journey prices and start post-production with an supposed launch in 2025.
