Ry Russo-Young has made a name for herself directing fiction narrative features, and episodes of scripted television — and now she’s ready to turn the camera on herself and her family.
A new teaser for documentary miniseries “Nuclear Family” offers insight into Russo-Young’s upbringing and experiences growing up with two moms at a time when the concept of a gay family was inconceivable to most, and — thanks to homophobic laws — extremely impractical to achieve.
Demonstrating deadpan humor, her moms — Sandra Russo and Robin Young — explain on camera the difficulties they went through to build and protect their family in the late 1970s and early 1980s. While Russo Young clearly regards her childhood as relatively idyllic, the spot hints at the roadblocks thrown up when the sperm donor, Tom, changed his mind about wanting to be involved in her life. “It’s so fucked up, what happened,” as one talking head bluntly puts it.
Described as “an exploration of love, loyalty, loss, and the immutable power of family in all its configurations” in a press release, it’s clear that with a combination of interviews, home videos, and archive footage, the three-part HBO series will offer in-depth insight into a first-generation lesbian family, which — as teased by the source — was involved in a landmark legal decision that would change the way gay families were perceived forever.
When we asked Russo-Young last year about her inspirations as a filmmaker, she explained: “I’ve always loved independent films and being a part of a film community fueled my desire to keep making films. I’m committed to telling stories that give voice to women and LGBTQ experiences, and knowing the potential reach of film has made me feel like I could actually change hearts and minds through this medium.”
Russo Young co-wrote and directed feature films “You Won’t Miss Me” and “Nobody Walks.” Her other directing credits include features “Before I Fall” and “The Sun Is Also a Star” as well as TV’s “Everything Sucks!,” “Cloak & Dagger,” and “Sorry For Your Loss.” As a teenager she participated in Meema Spadola’s documentary “Our House,” which is excerpted in “Nuclear Family.”
“Nuclear Family” debuts on HBO September 26.
