Barbara Kopple is a two-time Academy Award winning filmmaker. A director and producer of narrative films and documentaries, her two most recent projects are the documentaries “Miss Sharon Jones!” which tracks the talented and gregarious lead singer of the R&B band Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings during the most challenging year of her life, and “Shelter” which tells a story of vets saving vets, delving into the psychological trauma created by military service, the effects that remain long after active duty, and the difficult road back to a normal life for these women and men.
“This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous” will premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival on January 24.
W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words.
BK: It’s a film about love, and about how difficult decisions are so much less difficult when you are supported by the people around you. It’s about coming to terms with who you are, and what you want, and taking action to make that a reality.
Gigi Gorgeous is an amazing and courageous woman who really cares about others who are going through hard times, and who has become a role model for many.
W&H: What drew you to this story?
BK: I love how open and honest Gigi is, how empowering her story is, and the supportive, caring community she’s built on YouTube. I also fell in love with her family, and the journey Gigi’s father David goes on to truly understand and to be there for his child.
W&H: What do you want people to think about when they are leaving the theater?
BK: I’d like for people to have a better understanding of who this transgender person really is, and I hope they understand that this is a deeply human issue.
I’d like for people to be inspired to stand up for the rights of transgender people in schools and in their jobs. Gigi’s journey is about someone becoming who they really are, and everyone should be given that right.
W&H: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
BK: It was a fun challenge to find ways to incorporate Gigi’s YouTube videos into the film. Gigi has thousands of videos online, and they capture her complete transformation.
It was both challenging and fascinating to sift through those videos to find the key moments in the transformation from Gregory Allan Lazzarato to Gigi Gorgeous.
W&H: How did you get your film funded? Share some insights into how you got the film made.
BK: We made this film with YouTube Red and we’re excited to be the first feature-length documentary created for YouTube. I hope that people will find inspiration and hope in Gigi’s story, and that they’ll share the film with friends online and off.
I hope the film inspires real life conversations and online comments, video “likes,” and true love, too.
W&H: What does it mean for you to have your film play at Sundance?
BK: Sundance is just a magical place. It’s always a joy and so exciting to have a film at Sundance. I can’t wait to share the film with the amazing Sundance audiences, and to see so many friends and our film making family. There’s really nothing else like Sundance — the excitement, the talent, the wonder of walking down Main St. and seeing so many familiar faces.
We’re so honored to have the film premiere at Sundance and I can’t wait. I feel like a kid with the wonder of being in such a beautiful and supportive place. Making a film is hard and having my film show at Sundance makes it a real celebration for the film’s entire team. I am so happy and lucky.
W&H: What’s the best and worst advice you’ve received?
BK: The best advice came from my parents who told me that there’s nothing I couldn’t do if I felt passionate about it. They told me to go after the things I believe in, and find people in this world who had my back. I’ve always done my best to follow their advice.
The worst advice came when people told me not to do something that I believed in because there was no money for it. Many people have told me that there’s no budget and you can’t do this or that project. But I’ve never let those issues stop me and I’ve always believed that I’ll figure out a way to do it and there will be people to help me get it done.
W&H: What advice do you have for other female directors?
BK: My advice is to follow your story where it takes you, put your foot into any door that tries to close on you, and find creative ways to disarm anyone who wants to stand in your way.
W&H: Name your favorite woman-directed film and why.
BK: There isn’t just one film that I love — there are so many different films by women and each expresses itself in a unique way. I’m just proud to be part of an independent community where we watch each other’s film and support each other, and truly want each other to succeed.
W&H: Have you seen opportunities for women filmmakers increase over the last year due to the increased attention paid to the issue? If someone asked you what you thought needed to be done to get women more opportunities to direct, what would be your answer?
BK: It’s great to see more women have the opportunity to tell their stories. I think for many years now women have made a major impact on documentary filmmaking, and many have been at the forefront of the documentary community.
I loved that Michael Moore programmed only woman-directed films at his film festival this year in Traverse City, Michigan. It just goes to show that women are making great films and have powerful stories to tell about all kinds of topics.
