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Do I Sound Gay?

Synopsis

A confidence-shattering break up has a strange effect on middle-aged gay director David Thorpe: It resurrects his long-dormant shame about “sounding gay” and he decides to try to change his voice. Determined to overcome this shame, David embarks on a hilarious, poignant, taboo-shattering exploration of the phenomenon of the “gay voice.” Using self-deprecating humor and confessional intimacy, DO I SOUND GAY? traces David’s personal journey to understand the scientific, historical and cultural origins of “sounding gay” and how members of the gay community feel about its stigma. As he investigates these rich cultural and linguistic origins, however, he makes an unexpected discovery: his own voice. Featuring Margaret Cho, Tim Gunn, Dan Savage, David Sedaris and George Takei.

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The Filmmakers

David Thorpe Director

David Thorpe is a journalist who has written about his own experiences of gay life for publications as diverse as Jane, New York, OUT and The Forward. David has also written extensively about AIDS and spent 5 years as director of communications for Housing Works, one of New York City’s largest AIDS services organizations. DO I SOUND GAY? is his first feature film.

Howard Gertler Producer

Howard Gertler is a Oscar-nominated producer whose credits include David France’s HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE, which premiered in competition at Sundance 2012 and was released by IFC Films/Sundance Selects. The film was nominated for the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, and won the Gotham for Best Documentary, the New York Film Critics’ Circle Award for Best First Feature, the International Documentary Association’s Emerging Filmmaker Award and the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary. It was also a Film Independent Spirit Award Nominee. With John Cameron Mitchell & graphic novelist Dash Shaw, he produced the short film SERAPH for the band Sigur Ros, which premiered at Sundance 2013. Along with Tim Perell at Process (where Gertler was head of production 2001 through 2009), he won the 2007 Film Independent Spirit Producers’ Award for John Cameron Mitchell’s SHORTBUS, and in 2006 was named one of Variety’s Ten Producers To Watch. SHORTBUS premiered in the official selection in Cannes and was released worldwide.

Festivals & Awards

Toronto International Film Festival

2014

World Premiere - Official Selection

DOC NYC

2014

Opening Night 

Provincetown International Film Festival

2015

Official Selection

BFI Flare London LGBT Film Festival

2015

Official Selection

Reviews

Incredibly thought-provoking and funny…Should definitely be at the top of your 'to see' lists.”

-Indiewire

An engaging personal documentary. David Thorpe’s explorations of a painful subject are an exercise in healing.”

-The New York Times

Breezy and insightful. Charming and intimate.”

-Village Voice

A fascinating subject. Clever and fun.”

-The Hollywood Reporter

One of Summer 2015's must-see docs.”

-Entertainment Weekly