Making 'MAN LESSONS'

WHAT’S THIS ALL ABOUT THEN?

MAN LESSONS is a documentary film 6 years in the making, de-constructing the construction of one prominent transgender New Zealand actor.

Adam Rohe takes us on a raucous journey to the basement of his mind, and lets us watch the creation of his most earnest and intimate artistic performance: HIMSELF!

Archival footage and theatrical narration will blend to tell the story of a deeply personal gender transition and the relationships that ‘made the man,’ including a very special friendship with the film’s director Ben Sarten.

It's your garden-variety trans story, framed like a rom-com, narrated by a professional clown, the likes of which you have never seen. 

THE PROJECT SO FAR

6 years of footage has been shot already, so you could say….WE ARE HALFWAY THERE! We are seeking support to:

• curate archival footage
• develop the final narration/interviews
• gather the crew
• film the finale
• smoosh it together
• present the goods

We aim to present the doco in the summer of 2020/2021.

OUR KAUPAPA

MAN LESSONS re-assesses the idea that it’s hard to be a trans person - or at least the idea that it has to be hard - by demonstrating that trans people can take control of, and play with, their own stories... and that their stories can be silly and fun. The work will demystify one man's trans experience, and widen the lens on trans people’s lives to include everyone around them.

Rates of depression, self-harm and suicide in NZ's gender diverse community are intolerably high. Full stop. We all have work to do to turn that around.

With this project, we want to do our part to clean up the muddy waters of mis-information and intolerance and replace them with education, visibility, love and acceptance.

We believe NOTHING should get in the way of anyone who wishes to watch Man Lessons, so when the documentary component is finished it will be available to stream FREE on our custom website.

We seek to ENTERTAIN!! A good belly chuckle is something we all need, and Man Lessons will be non-stop.

This is a ZERO WASTE production. Everything we use will be recycled and reused so you can rest assured that your contributions will not add in any way to a landfill.

By supporting this project you’ll be investing in your own happiness and in the happiness and health of the LGBTQ+ community and ultimately the world...you’re welcome! All donations qualify for a 33% tax rebate for New Zealand donors.

Your generous donations will go towards:

• Paying artists' wages, helping to ensure the longevity of an arts community struggling with the implications of Covid19
• Feeding the cast and crew nutritious food
• Building a mind-blowing set and wild costumes for the finale narration/interview/performance
• Lighting that bad boy like a rave
• Increasing visibility and understanding of our gender diverse community.

I’M NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING!

If you have read this far...wow... We're feeling pretty emotional. Thank you! Giving a little or a lot, it's all ka pai. If you don't have a dollar to spare, you can help by sharing this project with your whanau and spreading the good word.

From the Man Lessons crew - best buddies Ben the Director, Hayley the Production Designer and Adam the Subject - Thank you, thank you, thank you for being into what we’re up to. We are into you.

Ka mau te wehi!