THE GENDER SYMPHONY, 14min,. USA
Directed by Phoebe Hemenway Legere
Filmed on the streets of Venice, the Gender Symphony follows the hapless servant Columbina as she toils under the tyrannical Dr. Pants—an alchemist obsessed with unlocking the secrets of wealth. When Dr. Pants stumbles upon an ancient incantation promising limitless riches, the spell summons not gold, but a powerful witch determined to teach him a lesson in humility.

http://www.phoebelegere.com/
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Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

The emotional core of the film is the platonic love between a masculine-of-center, queer woman and a highly sensitive, creative gay man.
Gender Symphony was shot on location in Venice, Italy.
I thought it would be interesting to use Commedia dell’Arte, a medieval physical comedy style, to comment on contemporary “Politics of the Body.”
I was passionately interested in using the beauty of Venice as a ready-made set for my political commentary and performance art.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

One year.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Multidisciplinary, LGBTQA+

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

I committed to the goal of a $0 budget for costumes. I wanted to make all of the costumes myself, from floating garbage I could fish from the canals. My problem was that Venice has become spotlessly clean.
I made friends with the men who run the garbage boats I ran down to the garbage boats every morning at 6 a.m. The universe coughed up the most fabulous trashion! It was magical.
I made all of the masks and costumes out of paper.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

It was wonderful! Thank you to everyone! This is a very personal film. I made it for myself. All of the actors are my friends. I am delighted that so many women and gay people are loving it!

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

When I was 7 years old, I put a beret on and told my friends:
“Look at my hat. Do you know what this means?”
They said, “No.”
I said, “It means I am a Movie Director. And we are making a movie. ACTION!”
My first film was a remake of Cinderella. I cast Ilona Kalisky in the title role.
Her first cousin, S****m, was enraged that I made Ilona the star of the film. That’s when I learned that art can be dangerous.

What film have you seen the most in your life?

You mean that I watch repeatedly?

Farinelli, King of Masks (China), Alphaville (Godard), and I watched the Netflix King of Qin series twice.

What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Live screenings with popcorn and lots of gay people singing along would be great. I’d like to hear a whole theater of people singing my song “Master and Slave.”

You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?
TGFF – Thank God for FilmFreeway.

What is your favorite meal?

I just cooked a good dinner. It was plantains, carrots, and yellow squash sautéed in ginger, with a little pofu (that’s tofu made of pumpkin).... with a touch of Mongolian #fire oil and quinoa with toasted sesame seeds. I had a side of broccoli lightly steamed with avocado leaves.
I paired this with a glass of New York tap water, room temp.
For dessert, I will have some Zero Bark – a keto chocolate sweetened only with monk fruit.
Almost every meal is my favorite. I love to eat.

What is next for you? A new film?

Yes. I’m making a feature-length experimental documentary based here in NYC. It will be #GORGEOUS.