Film Description:

Filmed in Berkeley, California with a standing-room-only audience, this film shows the powerful debut of the Men's Story Project - a bold, innovative storytelling and dialogue project exploring social ideas about masculinity for the purpose of health and justice.

Described by audience members as “groundbreaking,” “transformative,” “a gift” and “something that needs to keep happening,” the film highlights a diverse group of 16 Bay Area artists, activists and first-time presenters, ages 22-60, candidly sharing personal stories via spoken word, monologues, music and dance.

“A film of cultural importance” -San Francisco Chronicle

“Deeply funny” -SF Weekly

The stories address topics including friendship between men; fatherhood; struggles with religion, homophobia and HIV/AIDS; coming out to parents; intersections of race, disability and sexuality; testicular cancer and personal wholeness; images of black masculinity; a journey from perpetrating partner violence to becoming an anti-violence activist; men's public restroom rituals; spirituality and transformation in prison; transgender identity and gender fluidity; challenging a father’s racism; being raised without male role models; desire to be in a committed relationship; and gratitude to lifelong mentors.

Presenters include Robert Haaland, the first trans candidate elected to San Francisco public office; Juan Cuba (San Francisco Women Against Rape); Leroy Moore (Sins Invalid); and members of the Berkeley and SF slam poetry championship teams.

Educators can opt to show the full film or select from 16 stand-alone chapters, including 10-min director introduction.

114 min. ©2009. Produced and directed by Jocelyn Lehrer, Sc.D.