They
An experimental doc about one struggling and coming to terms with being non binary.
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Demetre KalmantisDirectorJudgement, Sparkwheel, The Big Shoot, Masks, In the Dead of Winter
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Demetre KalmantisWriterJudgement, Sparkwheel, The Big Shoot, Masks, In the Dead of Winter
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Demetre KalmantisProducerJudgement, Sparkwheel, The Big Shoot, Masks, In the Dead of Winter
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Project Type:Documentary, Experimental, Short, Student
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Genres:Experimental, Queer film
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Runtime:2 minutes 54 seconds
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Completion Date:April 7, 2021
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Country of Origin:Canada
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Country of Filming:Canada
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:1.85:1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:Yes - University of Windsor
My name is Demetre Kalmantis and I have always had a passion (and a borderline obsession) with films. Ever since I was four years old, I knew I wanted to make movies. I got my first camera when I was nine and I then made small films in my backyard. I started making films more seriously in my teenage years, when a psychological horror film I directed, “In the Dead of Winter”, was accepted into the Windsor International Film Festival. Ever since then I have been trying to up my game with each film I make. I am now in my fourth year of the Communications, Media and Film program at the University of Windsor and I am working on writing a feature film.
In addition to filmmaking, I have a background in dramatic art, visual art and music. I have been drawing since I was young and to this day I often sketch storyboards for my films. I am a self taught musician; specifically I play the drums. I have played in a few different bands throughout the years and most recently, I composed and performed the score for my film “Judgement”. Drama was my best subject throughout high school and I performed in three separate school plays. My background in dramatic art has carried over into my filmmaking, as working with actors is now one of my favourite parts of the entire process.
"They" is a very personal film for both myself and the subject, Chris Boyd. I wanted to create something that spoke to the non binary and general queer experience; something both Chris and I are familiar with. When I show the film to people, I hope that it is universal enough in the feelings it evokes. My goal was to make it universal so that it can shed light on being queer for people who may not be familiar with the experiences of the community.
As a person who grew up knowing I was gay and eventually coming to terms with my gender identity, the film was very cathartic for me. It is a portrait of myself as much as it is a portrait of Chris. I strove to tell our story authentically and with emotional weight. I hope you enjoy!
-Demetre Kalmantis