NO ORDINARY MAN Documentary

USA Premiere

Following the film, AFI Festivals Programmer Eric Moore leads a conversation between filmmakers Chase Joynt and Aisling Chin-Yee, co-writer Amos Mac and subject Marquise Vilson.

Jazz musician Billy Tipton’s name was splashed all over the tabloids and talk shows in 1989 when upon his death his family discovered that Tipton was a trans man. But biology is only a small part of the story. In NO ORDINARY MAN, directors Aisling Chin-Yee and Chase Joynt dig deep into the story of this talented musician. Along with in-person and archival television interviews with the family, the film uses the device of casting for Tipton using trans-masculine actors to reflect profoundly on Tipton as well as themselves. The film explores issues of identity from many angles and raises questions about how someone can be trying to hide while also being front and center in the public eye. –Eric Moore