Boys Don't Cry (1999)

Director:

Kimberly Peirce

Writers:

Kimberly Peirce (written by) &
Andy Bienen (written by)

Release Date:

29 October 1999 (Canada)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A true story about finding the courage to be yourself.

Plot:

The story of the life of Brandon Teena, a transgendered teen who preferred life in a male identity until it was discovered he was born biologically female.

Plot Keywords:

Nebraska | Drinking | Friend | Tragedy | Outcast

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 42 wins & 27 nominations

Cast

Hilary Swank	...	Brandon Teena
Chloë Sevigny	...	Lana Tisdel
Peter Sarsgaard	...	John Lotter
Brendan Sexton III	...	Tom Nissen
Alicia Goranson	...	Candace
Alison Folland	...	Kate
Jeannetta Arnette	...	Lana's Mom
Rob Campbell	...	Brian
Matt McGrath	...	Lonny
Cheyenne Rushing	...	Nicole
Robert Prentiss	...	Trucker
Josh Ridgway	...	Kwik Stop Cashier
Craig Erickson	...	Trucker in Kwik Stop
Stephanie Sechrist	...	April
Jerry Haynes	...	Judge
Lou Perryman	...	Sheriff
Lisa Renee Wilson	...	Pam (as Lisa Wilson)
Jackson Kane	...	Sam Phillips
Joseph Gibson	...	Tom
Michael Tripp	...	Nerdy Teen
Shana McClendon	...	Girl in Car
Libby Villari	...	Nurse
Paige Carl Griggs	...	Dave - Deputy
Gail Cronauer	...	Clerk
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Guilford Adams	...	Teena Brandon's Father (uncredited)
Chad Briley	...	Extra (uncredited)
Ryan Thomas Brockington	...	Kiss (uncredited)
Michelle Fairbanks	...	Girl in Car (uncredited)
Gabriel Horn	...	Lester - Restraining Order Guy (uncredited)
Robert A. Steffenino	...	Bartender (uncredited)
Natalie Zea	...	(uncredited)

Directed by
Kimberly Peirce

Writing credits
Kimberly Peirce		(written by) &
Andy Bienen		(written by)

Produced by
Jill Footlick	....	line producer
John Hart	....	producer
Caroline Kaplan	....	executive producer
Pamela Koffler	....	executive producer
Eva Kolodner	....	producer
Jon Marcus	....	line producer: additional photography, New York
Jonathan Sehring	....	executive producer
Jeff Sharp	....	producer (as Jeffrey Sharp)
Bradford Simpson	....	associate producer
John Sloss	....	executive producer
Morton Swinsky	....	co-producer (as Mort Swinsky)
Christine Vachon	....	producer

Original Music by
Nathan Larson

Cinematography by
Jim Denault

Film Editing by
Tracy Granger
Lee Percy

Casting by
Kerry Barden
Billy Hopkins
Jennifer McNamara
Suzanne Smith

Production Design by
Michael Shaw

Art Direction by
Shawn Carroll

Costume Design by
Victoria Farrell

Makeup Department
Angela Angel	....	hair assistant
Angela Angel	....	makeup assistant
Jane Choi	....	key makeup artist: additional photography, New York
Jeff Francis	....	hair stylist: Ms. Sevigny, additional photography, New York
Kalen Hoyle	....	makeup artist
Renee Lecuyer	....	key hair stylist (as Renee Le Cuyer)
Renee Lecuyer	....	key makeup artist (as Renee Le Cuyer)
Renee Lecuyer	....	key makeup effects (as Renee Le Cuyer)
Kerrie R. Plant	....	key hair stylist: additional photography, New York (as Kerrie Plant)
Kerrie R. Plant	....	makeup stylist: additional photography, New York (as Kerrie Plant)
Nicki Ledermann	....	makeup consultant (uncredited)

Production Management
Jon Marcus	....	unit production manager: additional photography, New York
Rachel Peters	....	executive in charge of production: Hart Sharp
Katie Roumel	....	executive in charge of production: Killer Films
Jamie H. Zelermyer	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Alfie Kiernan	....	second assistant director
W. Alex Korp	....	second second assistant director
Jim LaClair	....	first assistant director (as Jim Laclair)
Jay Richard Piro	....	first assistant director: additional photography, New York (as Jay Piro)
Jeanine Rohn	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Phyllis Detrich	....	property master
Sherief Elkatsha	....	set dresser: additional photography, New York
Jimmy Estrada	....	assistant props (as Jimmy Joe Estrada)
Lynn A. Johanson	....	leadperson
Lissa Murphy	....	set dresser (as Lisa Murphy)
Amy Beth Silver	....	art director: additional photography, New York (as Amy Silver)
Andrea Stanley	....	art director: additional photography, New York
Debra Sugarman	....	set dresser
Sarah J. Thompson	....	set dresser
Minda Work	....	leadperson

Sound Department
Gina Alfano	....	adr editor
Jeremy Brill	....	sound intern
Eric A. Christoffersen	....	sound consultant: Dolby (as Eric Christoffersen)
Robert Fernandez	....	sound re-recording mixer
Sean Garnhart	....	sound effects editor
Lewis Goldstein	....	supervising sound editor
Matthew Haasch	....	foley engineer
Alex Herrera	....	boom operator (as Alex A. Herrera)
William Kozy	....	sound mixer: additional photography, New York
Hal Levinsohn	....	adr editor (as Hal Levinson)
Mack Melson	....	production sound mixer
Cate Montana	....	sound intern
Igor Nikolic	....	assistant editor
Glenfield Payne	....	sound effects editor
Jay Peck	....	foley artist
Jennifer Ralston	....	foley supervisor
Jac Rubenstein	....	dialogue editor
Matthew C. Beville	....	adr mixer (uncredited)
Kate Eales	....	background sound editor (uncredited)
Sean Garnhart	....	sound designer (uncredited)
Jennifer Ralston	....	sound effects editor (uncredited)
Eric Thompson	....	adr mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Jack Bennett	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Mark Dornfeld	....	optical effects: Custom Film Effects
Vincent Lavares	....	digital asset manager (uncredited)
Mark Sawicki	....	optical camera (uncredited)

Stunts
Tim Buchanan	....	stunts
Jeremy Hill	....	stunts (as Jeramy Hill)
Ben Loggins	....	stunt coordinator
Diane Towery	....	stunts
Russell Towery	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Troy Anderson	....	third electric
Joe Arcidiacono	....	director of photography: additional photography, New York
Paul Armstrong	....	additional camera assistant
Rhett Bakke	....	second assistant camera
Hugo Bonilla	....	best boy grip: additional photography, New York
John Cadenhead	....	third grip (as John T. Cadenhead III)
Claire F. Cario	....	first assistant camera (as Claire Cario)
Elizabeth Casinelli	....	best boy electric
Jack Cocker	....	grip/electric swing
Christopher Davis	....	additional electric
Lance Dooley	....	additional swing
James D. Faust	....	additional electric (as Jhames D. Faust)
Hank Fischer	....	grip/electric swing
Tom Graybael	....	first assistant camera: second unit, Dallas (as Tom 'Barney' Graybael)
Matthew Hale	....	best boy grip (as Matthew D. Hale)
Carrie Huff	....	additional grip
Daniel Jacob	....	additional electric (as Daniel Jacobs)
Ruben Levins	....	camera production assistant: second unit, Dallas
Russell Lindsay	....	additional grip
Seth Loft	....	key grip: additional photography, New York
Bill Matlock	....	still photographer
Brian McKee	....	key grip
Scott Miller	....	gaffer
Scott Miller	....	gaffer: additional photography, New York
Michael Mizell	....	best boy electric: additional photography, New York
Eric Montes	....	additional grip
Nathan O'Neal	....	camera loader
John Pirozzi	....	director of photography: time-lapse photography
Chris Reynolds	....	additional camera assistant
Antonio Rossi	....	first assistant camera: additional photography, New York
James Soward	....	additional electric
Seamus Tierney	....	additional electric
Joshua Van Praag	....	grip/electric swing
Matt Walters	....	additional grip
Sebastian Widmann	....	camera loader: additional photography, New York
John Wilcox	....	additional swing (as John 'J.D.' Wilcox)
Jason May	....	grip (uncredited)
Paul S. Shapiro	....	grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Emily Abt	....	extras casting assistant
Elizabeth Beck	....	extras casting director
Mark Bennett	....	casting assistant: New York
Deborah Maxwell Dion	....	casting assistant: Los Angeles
Amy Grappell	....	casting director: local

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sarah Beers	....	wardrobe supervisor: additional photography, New York
Mary McCormick	....	seamstress
Michelle Elaine Teague	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Matthew Ballen	....	post-production intern
Janna Bilski	....	post-production intern
Marc Bruni	....	post-production intern (as Mark Bruni)
Gabrielle Demeestere	....	post-production intern
Emily Digiacomo	....	post-production intern
Ryan Ganimian	....	post-production intern
Joe Graceffa	....	post-production intern
Rebecca Green	....	post-production intern
Fred Grinstein	....	post-production intern
Michelle Harrison	....	associate editor
Elizabeth Heeden	....	second conform assistant editor (as Elizabeth R. Heeden)
Kit Hui	....	post-production assistant
Irene Kassow	....	first assistant editor
Jonathan Kaye	....	second conform assistant editor (as Jonatan Kaye)
Marc Landers	....	post-production intern
Jordan Leff	....	post-production intern
Addison MacDonald	....	post-production intern (as Addison Macdonald)
Berndt Mader	....	post-production intern
Aleeza Marashlian	....	post-production intern
Dennis McNeill	....	color timer
Daishiro Narita	....	post-production assistant
Andy Newcomer	....	post-production intern
Tina Pacheco	....	first assistant editor
Maxine Pardo	....	post-production intern
Seyi Peter-Thomas	....	post-production intern
Cecile Rebbot	....	post-production intern
Olivia Relova	....	post-production intern
Sebastien Robeis	....	post-production intern
April Roth	....	post-production intern
Jennifer Ruff	....	avid support
Lousine Shamamian	....	apprentice editor
Michael Sledd	....	post-production intern
Patricia Sztaba	....	negative cutter
Stan Sztaba	....	negative cutter (as Stan)
Laura Weinberg	....	conform assistant editor
Virginia Williams	....	post-production intern
Tanya Yokum	....	post-production intern
John McNulty	....	apprentice editor (uncredited)
Ken Rubenfeld	....	dailies colorist (uncredited)

Music Department
Jim Dunbar	....	executive music producer
Christopher S. Parker	....	music clearances (as Chris Parker)
Randall Poster	....	music supervisor
Allan Zaleski	....	music editor

Transportation Department
Marty Carrington	....	driver
Robert C. Fite	....	driver
Wally Welch	....	driver

Other crew
Laird Adamson	....	assistant: Christine Vachon
Leora Backer	....	assistant production office coordinator
Aaron Bartz	....	production assistant
Paul Brennan	....	legal services: Sloss Law
Peter Burns	....	assistant: John Hart
Ronnie Butler	....	security
John Cadenhead	....	location manager
Terry K. Cahill	....	security
George Camarda	....	script supervisor: additional photography, New York
Judson Davenport	....	location production assistant
Rachel Dawson	....	production office coordinator: additional photography, New York
Stephen Dupree	....	production assistant
Barak Epstein	....	intern
Tony Estrada	....	location scout
Dee Evans	....	production office coordinator
Mark M. Faulkner	....	security
Andrea Friedman	....	additional location manager
Tommy Garrett	....	security
Kyle Gross	....	security
Jeremy Slade Haak	....	intern
Gabriel Harris	....	production assistant: additional photography, New York
Beverly G. Hendley	....	security
Jeff Hill	....	publicist
Gates Houp	....	production assistant
Susanne Jones	....	travel
Louis Katz	....	physician: New York (as Louis Katz, MD)
Kim Kyle	....	intern
Maria Lee	....	intern
Sherri Lennon	....	location manager
Joni Linton	....	script supervisor: second unit, Dallas
Jennifer Lobban	....	accounting intern
Jennifer Lobban	....	production intern
Ann Marsland	....	office production assistant
Jen McGowan	....	production assistant: additional photography, New York (as Jennifer McGowan)
Dr. Gerald Michaelson	....	physician: California (as Gerald Michaelson, MD)
Randy Miears	....	key set production assistant
Susan R. Millard	....	security
Ross Miller	....	insurance: D.R. Reiff And Associates
Pamela Mount	....	location scout
David O	....	production assistant
Roman Ostrowski	....	physician: New York (as Roman Ostrowski, MD)
Bill Perkins	....	location production assistant
Michael Raines	....	production assistant
Jack Riccobono	....	production assistant: additional photography, New York (as Jack Ricobono)
Pamela Richardson	....	script supervisor
Stanton Grant Richardson	....	security
Cody Rogers	....	office production assistant
Cody Rogers	....	set medic
Bob Roizman	....	projectionist: additional photography, New York
Ben Schoen	....	titles: Scarlet Letters
Paula Schoen	....	physician: California (as Paula Shoen, MD)
M.K. Shaw	....	production accountant
Mark Shelby	....	location scout
Fred Siegel	....	tax accountant (as Fred Siegel, CPA)
Anitra K-M Smith	....	office production assistant
Maya Stowe	....	assistant: Kim Peirce
Paul Worrel	....	physician: Texas (as Paul Worrel, MD)
Jason Zampino	....	production assistant: additional photography, New York
Sarah Nean Bruce	....	production advisor (uncredited)
Robert P. Campbell	....	product placement (uncredited)
Dylan Verrechia	....	assistant: Kim Peirce (uncredited)

Thanks
Rob Albright	....	thanks
Lynn Auerbach	....	thanks
Consuelo Saah Baehr	....	thanks
Tonyee Barretonetto	....	thanks
Kate Bornstein	....	thanks
Nancy Brody	....	thanks
Sarah Nean Bruce	....	thanks: Dallas/Fort Worth Film Commission (as Sara Bruce-Craft)
Eliza Byard	....	thanks
Lorne Cameron	....	thanks (as Loren Cameron)
Mark Christopher	....	thanks: for development in the film's initial stages
Dan Cowherd	....	thanks
DeMane Davis	....	thanks (as Demane Davis)
Lenore Dekoven	....	thanks
Esther Drill	....	thanks
Huong Duong	....	thanks
Nicole Eisenman	....	thanks
Alli Farrell	....	thanks (as Ali Farrell)
Tony Faulkner	....	thanks
Daphne Fitzpatrick	....	thanks
Ellen Franning	....	thanks
Alison Froling	....	thanks
Linda Gutierres	....	thanks
Lori E. Seid	....	thanks (as Lori E. Side)
Lana Tisdel	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Fox Searchlight Pictures (present)
• The Independent Film Channel Productions (present)
• Killer Films
• Hart-Sharp Entertainment

Distributors

• Fox Searchlight Pictures (1999) (USA) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox (2000) (Japan) (theatrical)
• UGC-Fox Distribution (UFD) (France) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (VHS)
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (Argentina)
• 20th Century Fox of Germany (Germany)
• Filmes Castello Lopes (Portugal)
• Gativideo (Argentina) (video)

Special Effects

• Custom Film Effects (optical effects)

Other Companies

• AC Delco Co.  thanks to (as AC Delco)
• All Payments Services  payroll (as All Payments)
• American Auto Rental  picture cars
• Arent Fox  thanks to (as Eileen at Arnet Fox)
• Automotive Fabrication  picture cars
• Bank of America  bank (as Bank of America Texas)
• Broadway Skateland  thanks to
• Budget Rent-a-Car  trucks
• C5  audio post production services (as C5, Inc.)
• Candlewood Suites  accommodations
• Cape Cod Chips  thanks to (as Cape Cod Potato Chips)
• Celis Beer  thanks to (as Celius Beer)
• Cine Shop  prop/set dressing shop
• City of Crandall, Texas  thanks to
• City of McKinney, Texas  thanks to
• Club Tassas  thanks to
• D.R. Reiff & Associates  insurance (as D.R. Reiff And Associates)
• DTA Tours & Travel  travel (as DTA Travel And Tours)
• Dallas Peterbilt  picture cars
• Direct Events  prop/set dressing shop
• Double Duece Bar  thanks to
• Falco Ink.  publicity (as Falco, Inc.)
• Falls City Journal, The  thanks to
• Farkas Films  thanks to
• Fina  thanks to
• Fossil  thanks to
• Goodedit  conform room (as Good Edit)
• Hand Held Films  camera equipment by: additional photography, New York
• Health Nut, The  caterers
• Hill Top Classics  picture cars
• Honest John's Caddy Corner  picture cars (as Caddy Corner)
• Independent Studio Services  prop/set dressing shop
• JP Morgan Chase Bank  bank (as Chase Bank NY)
• Karaoke Capital  karaoke equipment
• Koch Records  soundtrack available on
• Kodak  motion picture film
• Lesbian Herstory Archives, The  thanks to
• Mach II Travel  travel
• Mama's  catering by: additional photography, New York (as Mama's Food Shop)
• Manhattan Transfer  dailies
• McKinney Chamber of Commerce  thanks to
• McKinney Grain Company  thanks to
• Mill - McKinney, Texas, The  thanks to
• Mobile Production Services  expendables
• Nantucket Nectars  thanks to
• New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting, The  thanks to (as NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting)
• New York Foundation for the Arts  thanks to
• New York State Council on the Arts  thanks to (as New York State Council for the Arts)
• North Dallas R.V.  picture cars
• Ozarka Natural Spring Water, Co.  thanks to
• Panavision  cameras & lenses (as Panavision®)
• Paris Film Productions  lighting equipment by: additional photography, New York
• Post 391  editing room
• Presbyterian Hospital of Kaufman  thanks to
• PrimeCo Personal Communications  mobile phones (as Prime Co. Personal Communications)
• Red Derby Tavern, The  thanks to
• Reels on Wheels  shipping/freight
• Reliable Go Carts  picture cars
• Scarlet Letters  titles by
• Slosslaw  legal services (as Sloss Law)
• Sound One Corporation  re-recording mixer
• Spice of Life Catering  caterers
• Spin Cycle Post  ADR studio: NY
• Sundance Institute, The  developed with the assistance of (as the Sundance Film Institute)
• TMT  thanks to (as T.M.T. Inc.)
• Texas Metal Industries  thanks to
• The Astraea Foundation  thanks to (as Astrea Foundation)
• Thrifty Car Rental  cars (as Thrifty)
• Trade Audio Visuals  walkies (as Trade Audio Visual Corp.)
• Transsexual Menace  thanks to
• Ugly Duckling  picture cars
• Utility Trailer of Dallas  picture cars
• Wilshire Stages, The  ADR studio: CA (as Wilshire Stages)
• Women Make Movies  thanks to
• World Cinevision Services  negative cutter (as World Cinevision)

Also Known As:

Take It Like a Man (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence including an intense brutal rape scene, sexuality, language and drug use.

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Canada:R (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) (Canadian Home Video rating) | USA:R (Approved No. 36926) (edited for re-rating) | Philippines:R-18 | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Finland:K-16 (director's cut) | France:-16 | Germany:16 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIB | Italy:VM18 | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/18 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:NC-17 (original rating) | Brazil:18 | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

Director Kimberly Peirce said that she used the same shots in the opening roller rink scene that were used in The Wizard of Oz (1939) when Dorothy first left her house and entered the land of Oz.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The "Dustless Highway" is shown in the movie as a dirt road where all this dust covers the cars as they drive. In fact, the "Dustless Highway" is a paved county road.

Quotes:

Lana: [to Brandon] Who are you?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Peter Sarsgaard/The Strokes (#31.11)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Just What I Needed

powerful, disturbing human drama

The most impressive aspect of `Boys Don't Cry' is that it refuses to shy away from the sordid details of much of its protagonist's life, yet manages to convert her (or him if you prefer) into a sympathetic and comprehensible figure. In our most honest moments, we can all acknowledge aspects of our own lives and personalities that we don't understand, that we would love to change and that often make us feel alienated from the `norm' of society at large. In the case of Teena Brandon – a young man `trapped' in a woman's body - the anomaly happens to be a more pronounced and certainly less socially acceptable one than most of us are forced to endure in our lives. And she paid the ultimate price society demands from those it fears and does not understand: she was murdered in Nebraska in 1993, simply for being `different.'

The film builds a convincing case for compassionate understanding without converting Brandon into a saint-like figure. Not only do we witness the petty criminality of her life, but we see her propensity for duplicity and deception, a personality trait that actually leads in part to many of the troubles she encounters, playing a crucial role to a large extent even in her death itself. Yet, given society's out-of-hand rejection of transgendered people, what real options but a life of dishonesty is Brandon really given? Similarly, Lana, the young woman with whom Brandon falls in love and the one person who has ever accepted Brandon unconditionally for what she is, suffers from a number of her own demons.

Credit writer/director Kimberly Pierce and co-writer Andy Bienen for not taking the easy commercial path of reducing the moral complexities of the personalities involved to a black-and-white world where good and evil are displayed in neatly arranged patterns for our easy consumption. There are many times in this film when literally none of the people we are involved with are the slightest bit appealing. The filmmakers, in their faith in our maturity, ask us to go along on a pretty harrowing journey at times, but it is one that leads us to a very rewarding destination. The scenes in which Brandon's companions expose her secret is riveting and terrifying in its dramatic intensity and human sadness. The utter humiliation Brandon is forced to endure at the hands of the hooligans who are tormenting her broadens to become a symbolic representation of every person who has suffered such an injustice at the hands of unreasoning ignorance for whatever reason. It is a chilling reminder of the danger of the mob mentality unrestrained by empathy and enlightenment.

Like so many of the best off-Hollywood independent productions, `Boys Don't Cry' finds its truth in two crucial elements: the canny depiction of the bleak sterility and stifling provincialism of its Midwest setting and the uniformly first-rate performances by a largely unknown set of actors.

Hilary Swank, in her Oscar-winning turn as Brandon, and Chloe Sevigny as Lana achieve a naturalism in their portrayals that neutralizes any theatricality that might have robbed the film of its indispensable quality of immediacy and believability. They convert what might, in less capable hands, have become little more than a sensationalized freak show into a powerful and understandable drama about real, thoroughly recognizable human beings. For that alone, `Boys Don't Cry' becomes a cinematic experience impossible to forget