Gossamer Folds

By: Lisa Steinberg

Gossamer Folds is a charming film set in the summer of 1986 in a quaint suburb in Kansas City.  The movie begins as we meet the Millikin family who are trying to make a fresh start in an attempt to put their tumultuous and dysfunctional past in the city behind them.  Their quiet new home doesn’t exactly make a great impression on ten-year-old Tate (Jackson Robert Scott).  While the family unpacks their metaphorical and literal baggage, they begin to realize that their intended fresh start doesn’t feel too different from the life that they just left behind.

Looking out across the yard, Billy Millikin (Shane West) notices an interaction between his transgender neighbor and her friend.  Immediately Mr. Millikin is wary and starts in on the transphobic slurs and derogatory comments in front of his family, calling their new neighbor “the deviant next door.”  He tells his wife Frannie (Sprague Grayden) that they need to keep Tate away from their neighbors.  Tate being the precocious young man he is, and an only child, is still trying to get used to his new home and his constantly fighting family – we later learn this is due to the father’s extramarital affair.  One afternoon when playing in the front yard Tate ends up befriending his new neighbor, whose name is Gossamer (the sublimely charismatic and vivacious Alexandra Grey), much to his father’s dismay.  Gossamer and Tate’s budding friendship starts to build as Tate’s family falls apart.  When Mr. Millikin exits the picture, Tate starts to spend more time with Gossamer and their friendship deepens and broadens both of their horizons.

The film not only focuses on the Millikin’s family walls being broken down, but Gossamer’s and her own father’s as well.  Gossamer lives at home with her father (the stoic Franklin Ojeda-Smith), a retired professor, who is transphobic and still struggling with Gossamer’s sexual identity and freedom.  Gossamer lives her life unapologetically, which tends to clash at times with her father’s inability to treat and accept Gossamer as the woman she presents herself and identifies as.  While Gossamer exudes confidence, the constant fear of violence for the trans community is ever looming and shakes her resolute and resolve.

The film does not shy away from tackling trans issues head on.  With the ceaseless news daily of the attacks on the trans community escalating, these moments that are focused on in the film feel perpetually relevant and apt.  It’s a reminder to us all how much trans lives matter as do their stories, and that we must do our part to protect the trans community from the brazen hate that is running too freely rampant in our society right now which is not getting addressed or quelled enough.

Jackson Robert Scott easily pulls the viewer in with his magnetic turn as Tate.  His wide-eyed innocence and emotional engagement is polarizing while making you instantly want to shelter him from his family’s prolonged pain and show him how deserving of a life filled with unconditional acceptance as Gossamer does.  Alexandra Gray’s poignant and rapturous portrayal of Gossamer had me in tears and my heartstrings in tatters.  Her tight rope delivery which balanced beautifully between bitter sting and touching tenderness was sublimely stunning. Director Lisa Donato’s look at identity and how hate is taught, but much like Tate we can reject it, is an important message to amplify.

Tate and Gossamer’s friendship leaves a lasting impression on each which ends up being just the nurturing that they both never knew their hearts needed.  Gossamer Folds is a complex and compelling filming that shares the powerful needed remembrance that love is love, and that the only definition of who we are that should matter in life is the one we make for ourselves.  It echoes the Brene Brown quote that says, “The mark of a wild heart is living out the paradox of love in our lives.  It’s the ability to be tough and tender, excited and scared, brave and afraid – all in the same moment.  It’s showing up in our vulnerability and our courage, being both fierce and kind.”  That’s who Gossamer is, she’s a wild heart living out the paradox of love in her life.

Catch Gossamer Folds streaming now during Outfest LA.