DOC - BOYS ON THE INSIDE
Documentary Feature
Title: Boys on The Inside
Project Status: In Post-Production
Logline
Three Latinx trans/butch individuals discover their ‘boy’ identity in women’s prison. A 17-year documentary about their journey towards healing.
Synopsis
In the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Sarah, Christina and Sebastian put voice to the lived experiences of Latinx butch and transmasculine individuals who have moved through the prison system. With 17 years of research, documentation and relationship building, Boys on the Inside explores how our storytellers transition from discovering their 'boy' identity in women's prisons to navigating the long-term impacts of incarceration alongside their addiction recovery journeys.
The intimacy achieved in this project is palpable, combining archival glimpses of our storytellers with a present-day journey, when Sebastian and Christina reunite for the first time in 18 years after prison, they then take a trip to find Sarah. The powerful conversations and relationship dynamics between the ‘boys’ parallel their larger individual stories of personal power and transformation. Sebastian speaks with his daughter for the first time about their shared abuser; Christina experiences her father, a Pentecostal minister, express how proud he is of her; and Sarah stays close to her mom while also navigating her active addiction. While the film explores hardships, it is lit up by endearing storytellers and many moments of laughter.
Additional Project Info
Elliat Graney-Saucke (Director/Producer) (she/they) is a White queer femme documentary filmmaker, performer, curator and educator based in Seattle, Washington on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish People. Beginning media production in Olympia, WA in 1998, Elliat’s 20+ films produced in 10 countries include the short documentary The Resilience of King Khazm (2018, SIFF/Washington Filmworks ‘Fly Filmmaker Challenge’) and the feature documentary Travel Queeries (2019) which toured in 13 countries. Their films deal with a range of queer/trans, disability, cultural violence and policy themes while centering sovereignty and liberation.
A key focus in Elliat’s documentary, educational and curatorial work has been decolonizing practices and ethics in storytelling. Elliat has been teaching “Ethics of Storytelling” at the University of Washington Communication Leadership Master’s Program for several years, has taught an embodied anti-racism course for White spiritual practitioners, as well as serving as a lead instructor for the Change Leader Institute with the Washington State Art Commission.
Elliat holds a Masters in World Heritage Studies and a Bachelors in Cultural and Media Studies and continues to stay alive in learning. Through curating various cultural events focused on queer/trans, performance, heritage and documentary, as well as holding leadership roles such as Executive Director of Seattle Documentary Association, Elliat brings a unique approach not only as a documentary filmmaker but as a community organizer who can utilize her creative practice to engage change, meaningful dialogue and to activate communities.
• GAP Grant, Artist Trust – 2024
• Project Grant, 4Culture – 2023
• Project Grant, 4Culture – 2019
• Successful ‘Greenlight’ Crowdfunding Campaign, Seed&Spark – 2016
• Artists Fellowship | Millay Artist Colony Residency, Artist Trust – 2016
• smArt Ventures Grant, Seattle Office of Arts and Culture – 2016
• Individual Artist Grant, 4Culture – 2009
Team
Director/Producer/Editor - Elliat Graney-Saucke
Editor - Janis Vogel
Assistant Editor - Jonah Kozlowski
Cinematographers / Sound Engineers - Clea Eppelin, Misael Martinez, Jonah Kozlowski, Stephen Anunson, Valerie Vozza, Arlo Ballard, Sid Peterson, Elliat Graney-Saucke
Executive Producer - Serious Jam Media
Associate Producers - Pat Graney, Jason Plourde, Gilda Sheppard, Chelsea Olsen (Recovery Care), Mar Sue Le Fleur
Producing Advisors - Laura Jean Cronin, Kari Lerum, Michel Hansmire, M. Freeman, Marisa Woo Grattan, Barbara Bergin
Distribution - Jason Plourde, Jonah Kozlowski
Seeking
Postproduction and distribution/impact funds, distribution/impact partners, online distribution, educational distribution, producers/project partnersl
Rights Available
Broadcast, streaming, theatrical
Contact
Elliat Graney-Saucke
elliat@boysontheinside.com