Bi the Way

Bi the Way
Directed byBrittany Blockman
Josephine Decker
Written byBrittany Blockman
Josephine Decker
Produced byMichael Huffington
Martha Shane
CinematographyNils Benson
Brittany Blockman
Josephine Decker
Wilmot Kidd
Edited byBrittany Blockman
Josephine Decker
Music byDaniel Raimi
Release date
  • 2008 (2008)
Running time
85 mins
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Bi the Way is a 2008 documentary film about bisexuality in the United States. It had its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas.[1] The film has aired at film festivals throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Australia, Brazil, and Taiwan, including at Silverdocs Film Festival, Outfest, Newfest, !f Istanbul, and Rio de Janeiro Film Festival. It was aired on the Logo Network in summer 2009.[2]

The film follows the lives of several young bisexuals in the United States.[1] Its makers, Brittany Blockman and Josephine Decker, also appear on camera to frame the stories.[3]

Synopsis

The film is structured around a roadtrip,[4] during which the creators introduce five young Americans confronting issues relating to bisexuality.[5] Former cheerleader Pam, from Memphis, Tennessee, navigates between the tolerance and sexual openness of her friendship group and the conservatism of her southern Catholic family. Black hip-hop dancer Tahj, enjoying little success with girls, forms a relationship with a man he meets on MySpace and must weigh the rejection of his community against his newfound love.[6] 28-year-old Taryn is contemplating marriage to her boyfriend but also embarks on a new romance with a woman, testing the limits of monogamy and the boundaries of gender roles. David, 24, defies the expectations of his parents and ex-girlfriends to assert his bisexuality, while seeking to reconcile his traditional values with his open-minded views. Lastly, in San Antonio, Texas, Josh, 11, fears his gay father will reject him if he pursues his growing interest in girls.

The film interlaces these stories with commentary from evolutionary biologists, psychologists, and anthropologists to discuss themes of sexual ambiguity.

Awards

  • 2008: The film won the Alternative Spirit Grand Prize at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b "SXSW 2008: "Bi the Way." | Indie Eye | Film | IFC.com". Archived from the original on 2008-10-05. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  2. ^ "Logo Network". Archived from the original on 2009-07-22.
  3. ^ Getty, Kate (14 March 2008). "SXSW 08 Film Reviews".
  4. ^ "Bi the Way". Washington City Paper. 12 June 2008.
  5. ^ Lamble, David (26 June 2008). "Truth is stranger than fiction". Bay Area Reporter.
  6. ^ "SXSW documentary explores bisexuality boom".
  7. ^ "2008 Film Festival Award Winners Announced". RIIIF Awards 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2010.