Private Project

P.S.A. FEAR THE QUEER

Both an allusion to and a subversion of the infamous 1961 public service announcement 'Boys Beware', 'P.S.A. Fear the Queer' is filmmaker Bjørn Hanson's firsthand account of his coming out. Through a stylized series of soliloquies, Bjørn critiques the continued heteronormatization of queer culture in the United States.

  • Bjørn Hanson
    Director
  • Bjørn Hanson
    Writer
  • Bjørn Hanson
    Producer
  • Bjørn Hanson
    Key Cast
  • Michele Diniz
    Cinematographer
  • Emeri Abel
    Editor
  • Lawrence Agbetsise
    Editor
  • Johnny Farah
    Sound Designer
  • Eric Romero
    Still Photographer
  • Quincas Moreira
    Composer - 'Blue Macaw'
  • Sabina Finn
    Makeup Artist
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short, Student, Other
  • Genres:
    Self Portrait, Documentary, LGBT, Experimental
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 25 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 23, 2019
  • Country of Origin:
    Portugal
  • Country of Filming:
    Portugal
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director Biography - Bjørn Hanson

Bjørn has spent much of his career building cultural ties between Europe and the US. After obtaining a B.A. in Transatlantic Relations from Sciences Po Paris, Bjørn began working in production as a Location Manager and Fixer at TV Only in Paris, where he worked with international clients such as Google, The Travel Channel and Legendary Pictures. He moved back to New York in 2014 to pursue a position in social media content creation at the French Institute Alliance Française. Bjørn later moved to CVLT studios, where he produced still and video content for Estée Lauder, Anthropologie, Laird+Partners and T Brand Studio. Most recently, Bjørn worked as an Engagement Associate at Dow Jones, where he was responsible for developing The Wall Street Journal’s international audience. Bjørn is currently pursuing an M.A. in Film Production in the Kinoeyes European Movie Masters. He is dedicated to creating films that address pressing social issues and accurately portray marginalized communities.

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Director Statement

American society has come a long way since 1961, the year 'Boys Beware' was first released. Don't Ask Don't Tell has been repealed, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality and Pete Buttigieg has become the first openly gay man to run for President of the United States. The LGBT community, and white, cis gay men in particular, enjoy more visibility than ever before. But what has been the cost of these achievements? How have we as a community conformed to mainstream society's expectations? What have we done to make ourselves more palatable to those in power? In doing so, what have we lost?

Through a series of soliloquies on my life and my rural, midwestern upbringing, I examine the ways that American society allows gay men to publicly exist. I challenge the notion that LGBT Americans are only deserving of equal rights if they dress in an acceptable way, speak without being offensive, support their country, serve in the military, fall in love (with one person), get married and pray to god. I argue that the LGBT community must not ask for permission to exist, but rather demand equal rights just as we are. Only then can we preserve our queerness and truly make the world a more diverse and accepting place for all.