feature image photo by Momodu Mansaray / Staff via Getty Images
Lilly Wachowski, whose impressive list of previous work includes The Matrix, Sense8, and Work in Progress, is creating a new sci-fi thriller short film. While she often works with her sister, this seems to be a solo project, where she will serve as executive producer, and it will be the directorial debut of Geena Rocero, a trans filmmaker who also wrote the film and will star in it. In fact, the entire cast of this short film, called Dolls, will be made up of trans women, including Arewà Basit, Vas Eli Macy Rodman, and Yên Sen. The score was composed by Susie Ibarra.
The short is about a private investigator who is trying to solve the mystery of a missing girl that seems to have some connections to a dating workshop for trans women that could potentially be a cult and is described as “a trans-coded take” on The Stepford Wives.
Wachowski says she’s “so proud to be part of this beautiful, weird, striking debut,” and I for one can’t wait to watch it. (And already know I’m going to want more than its 18-minute runtime.)
The title of the film, of course, references the term “doll” that is sometimes used to describe trans women, which is believed to have originated in the 80s ballroom scene. While the term has been around in the trans community for decades, it has been more front-of-mind lately because of the “Protect the Dolls” shirts by queer fashion designer Conner Ives (the purchase of which raises money for Trans Lifeline) that have been spotted on celebrities like Pedro Pascal as of late.
The short doesn’t have a release date yet, but there have been some sneak peek images shared with Them to tide you over until we get more news about the short.
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+ This is me using a review link to tell you to watch The Hunting Wives on Netflix if you, like me, have been waiting for Brittany Snow to play a girl kisser again since John Tucker Must Die (or just generally like parody shows that make Republicans out to be hypocrites, and also murder mysteries)
+ Catch a glimpse of Danielle Brooks’ lesbian character Leota in the Season 2 trailer of Peacemaker that dropped at San Diego Comic Con this weekend
+ Chappell Roan is having a mini pop-up tour this fall and will donate $1 per ticket to trans charities
+ The Mighty Nein, Critical Role’s newest (and gayest) animated series yet is coming to Prime Video in November
+ Reese Witherspoon’s daughter Ava Phillipe (who is queer herself) landed the titular role in queer film Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me
+ The queer supes of Gen V are coming back for Season 2 on September 17th and the trailer shows some crossover with The Boys
+ Supposedly there’s a Bend It Like Beckham sequel in the early stages of being conceived (make it gay, you cowards!)
+ Juno Temple’s queer character Keeley will return in Season 4 of Ted Lasso
+ Country singer Danae Hays has gone public about her relationship with a new woman after her divorce last year
+ Lena Dunham might be wrong about a lot of things, but she sure is right about this: “Everything is better with queer people in it.”
