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Lifetime Guarantee: Phranc’s Adventure in Plastic / Shinjuku Boys

Three people in suits, neon signs in the background.
August 25, 2023 - 7:30 pm
In-person: 
Screening preceded by a live performance by Phranc. Q&A between features with Phranc, director Lisa Udelson, moderated by Jenni Olson.


Admission is free. No advance reservations. Your seat will be assigned to you when you pick up your ticket at the box office. Seats are assigned on a first come, first served basis. The box office opens one hour before the event.


Lifetime Guarantee: Phranc’s Adventure in Plastic

U.S. 2001

Virtually unseen for the past 20 years, this heartwarming documentary about legendary Jewish butch lesbian folk singer Phranc is an irresistible portrait of a gender non-conforming hero navigating a world of Southern California straight lady homemakers while working her way to the top as a Tupperware salesperson. The film earned acclaim and awards on the film festival circuit, including Audience Awards at Outfest and SXSW and a rave review in Variety describing Phranc as a “1950s sitcom-dad-styled androgyne hawking kitchenware to housewives.”

Digital video, color, 58 min. Director: Lisa Udelson.


Estimated start time: 9:15 p.m.

Shinjuku Boys

U.K., 1995

An amazing mid-1990s snapshot of AFAB (assigned female at birth) gender identity in Japan. Tatsu, Gaish and Kazuki pass as men and work as hosts at Tokyo’s New Marilyn Club, a nightspot where straight women spend time with the charming onabe (an expansive term that can encompass both butch lesbians and trans men). Tatsu is a trans man who lives with his girlfriend, Tomoe. Gaish is a tough-talking “in-between” heartbreaker with a string of girlfriends. And Kazuki lives with Kumi, a trans woman nightclub dancer. The suave trio speak frankly to the camera about sex, queerness, trans identity and masculinity.

Digital video, color, 53 min. Director: Kim Longinotto, Jano Williams.

Special thanks to our community partner: JQ International.


Watch a trailer: