Boys Don't Cry (1999)

Director:

Kimberly Peirce

Writers:

Kimberly Peirce (written by) &
Andy Bienen (written by)

Release Date:

29 October 1999 (Canada)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A true story about finding the courage to be yourself.

Plot:

The story of the life of Brandon Teena, a transgendered teen who preferred life in a male identity until it was discovered he was born biologically female.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | Nebraska | Drinking | Female Female Relationship | Farm

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 42 wins & 27 nominations

Cast

Hilary Swank	...	Brandon Teena
Chloë Sevigny	...	Lana Tisdel
Peter Sarsgaard	...	John Lotter
Brendan Sexton III	...	Tom Nissen
Alicia Goranson	...	Candace
Alison Folland	...	Kate
Jeannetta Arnette	...	Lana's Mom
Rob Campbell	...	Brian
Matt McGrath	...	Lonny
Cheyenne Rushing	...	Nicole
Robert Prentiss	...	Trucker
Josh Ridgway	...	Kwik Stop Cashier
Craig Erickson	...	Trucker in Kwik Stop
Stephanie Sechrist	...	April
Jerry Haynes	...	Judge
Lou Perryman	...	Sheriff
Lisa Renee Wilson	...	Pam (as Lisa Wilson)
Jackson Kane	...	Sam Phillips
Joseph Gibson	...	Tom
Michael Tripp	...	Nerdy Teen
Shana McClendon	...	Girl in Car
Libby Villari	...	Nurse
Paige Carl Griggs	...	Dave - Deputy
Gail Cronauer	...	Clerk
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Guilford Adams	...	Teena Brandon's Father (uncredited)
Chad Briley	...	Extra (uncredited)
Ryan Thomas Brockington	...	Kiss (uncredited)
Michelle Fairbanks	...	Girl in Car (uncredited)
Gabriel Horn	...	Lester - Restraining Order Guy (uncredited)
Robert A. Steffenino	...	Bartender (uncredited)
Natalie Zea	...	(uncredited)

Directed by
Kimberly Peirce

Writing credits
Kimberly Peirce		(written by) &
Andy Bienen		(written by)

Produced by
Jill Footlick	....	line producer
John Hart	....	producer
Caroline Kaplan	....	executive producer
Pamela Koffler	....	executive producer
Eva Kolodner	....	producer
Jon Marcus	....	line producer: additional photography, New York
Jonathan Sehring	....	executive producer
Jeff Sharp	....	producer (as Jeffrey Sharp)
Bradford Simpson	....	associate producer
John Sloss	....	executive producer
Morton Swinsky	....	co-producer (as Mort Swinsky)
Christine Vachon	....	producer

Original Music by
Nathan Larson

Cinematography by
Jim Denault

Film Editing by
Tracy Granger
Lee Percy

Casting by
Kerry Barden
Billy Hopkins
Jennifer McNamara
Suzanne Smith

Production Design by
Michael Shaw

Art Direction by
Shawn Carroll

Costume Design by
Victoria Farrell

Makeup Department
Angela Angel	....	hair assistant
Angela Angel	....	makeup assistant
Jane Choi	....	key makeup artist: additional photography, New York
Jeff Francis	....	hair stylist: Ms. Sevigny, additional photography, New York
Kalen Hoyle	....	makeup artist
Renee Lecuyer	....	key hair stylist (as Renee Le Cuyer)
Renee Lecuyer	....	key makeup artist (as Renee Le Cuyer)
Renee Lecuyer	....	key makeup effects (as Renee Le Cuyer)
Kerrie R. Plant	....	key hair stylist: additional photography, New York (as Kerrie Plant)
Kerrie R. Plant	....	makeup stylist: additional photography, New York (as Kerrie Plant)
Nicki Ledermann	....	makeup consultant (uncredited)

Production Management
Jon Marcus	....	unit production manager: additional photography, New York
Rachel Peters	....	executive in charge of production: Hart Sharp
Katie Roumel	....	executive in charge of production: Killer Films
Jamie H. Zelermyer	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Alfie Kiernan	....	second assistant director
W. Alex Korp	....	second second assistant director
Jim LaClair	....	first assistant director (as Jim Laclair)
Jay Richard Piro	....	first assistant director: additional photography, New York (as Jay Piro)
Jeanine Rohn	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Phyllis Detrich	....	property master
Sherief Elkatsha	....	set dresser: additional photography, New York
Jimmy Estrada	....	assistant props (as Jimmy Joe Estrada)
Lynn A. Johanson	....	leadperson
Lissa Murphy	....	set dresser (as Lisa Murphy)
Amy Beth Silver	....	art director: additional photography, New York (as Amy Silver)
Andrea Stanley	....	art director: additional photography, New York
Debra Sugarman	....	set dresser
Sarah J. Thompson	....	set dresser
Minda Work	....	leadperson

Sound Department
Gina Alfano	....	adr editor
Jeremy Brill	....	sound intern
Eric A. Christoffersen	....	sound consultant: Dolby (as Eric Christoffersen)
Robert Fernandez	....	sound re-recording mixer
Sean Garnhart	....	sound effects editor
Lewis Goldstein	....	supervising sound editor
Matthew Haasch	....	foley engineer
Alex Herrera	....	boom operator (as Alex A. Herrera)
William Kozy	....	sound mixer: additional photography, New York
Hal Levinsohn	....	adr editor (as Hal Levinson)
Mack Melson	....	production sound mixer
Cate Montana	....	sound intern
Igor Nikolic	....	assistant editor
Glenfield Payne	....	sound effects editor
Jay Peck	....	foley artist
Jennifer Ralston	....	foley supervisor
Jac Rubenstein	....	dialogue editor
Matthew C. Beville	....	adr mixer (uncredited)
Kate Eales	....	background sound editor (uncredited)
Sean Garnhart	....	sound designer (uncredited)
Jennifer Ralston	....	sound effects editor (uncredited)
Eric Thompson	....	adr mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Jack Bennett	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Mark Dornfeld	....	optical effects: Custom Film Effects
Vincent Lavares	....	digital asset manager (uncredited)
Mark Sawicki	....	optical camera (uncredited)

Stunts
Tim Buchanan	....	stunts
Jeremy Hill	....	stunts (as Jeramy Hill)
Ben Loggins	....	stunt coordinator
Diane Towery	....	stunts
Russell Towery	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Troy Anderson	....	third electric
Joe Arcidiacono	....	director of photography: additional photography, New York
Paul Armstrong	....	additional camera assistant
Rhett Bakke	....	second assistant camera
Hugo Bonilla	....	best boy grip: additional photography, New York
John Cadenhead	....	third grip (as John T. Cadenhead III)
Claire F. Cario	....	first assistant camera (as Claire Cario)
Elizabeth Casinelli	....	best boy electric
Jack Cocker	....	grip/electric swing
Christopher Davis	....	additional electric
Lance Dooley	....	additional swing
James D. Faust	....	additional electric (as Jhames D. Faust)
Hank Fischer	....	grip/electric swing
Tom Graybael	....	first assistant camera: second unit, Dallas (as Tom 'Barney' Graybael)
Matthew Hale	....	best boy grip (as Matthew D. Hale)
Carrie Huff	....	additional grip
Daniel Jacob	....	additional electric (as Daniel Jacobs)
Ruben Levins	....	camera production assistant: second unit, Dallas
Russell Lindsay	....	additional grip
Seth Loft	....	key grip: additional photography, New York
Bill Matlock	....	still photographer
Brian McKee	....	key grip
Scott Miller	....	gaffer
Scott Miller	....	gaffer: additional photography, New York
Michael Mizell	....	best boy electric: additional photography, New York
Eric Montes	....	additional grip
Nathan O'Neal	....	camera loader
John Pirozzi	....	director of photography: time-lapse photography
Chris Reynolds	....	additional camera assistant
Antonio Rossi	....	first assistant camera: additional photography, New York
James Soward	....	additional electric
Seamus Tierney	....	additional electric
Joshua Van Praag	....	grip/electric swing
Matt Walters	....	additional grip
Sebastian Widmann	....	camera loader: additional photography, New York
John Wilcox	....	additional swing (as John 'J.D.' Wilcox)
Jason May	....	grip (uncredited)
Paul S. Shapiro	....	grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Emily Abt	....	extras casting assistant
Elizabeth Beck	....	extras casting director
Mark Bennett	....	casting assistant: New York
Deborah Maxwell Dion	....	casting assistant: Los Angeles
Amy Grappell	....	casting director: local

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sarah Beers	....	wardrobe supervisor: additional photography, New York
Mary McCormick	....	seamstress
Michelle Elaine Teague	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Matthew Ballen	....	post-production intern
Janna Bilski	....	post-production intern
Marc Bruni	....	post-production intern (as Mark Bruni)
Gabrielle Demeestere	....	post-production intern
Emily Digiacomo	....	post-production intern
Ryan Ganimian	....	post-production intern
Joe Graceffa	....	post-production intern
Rebecca Green	....	post-production intern
Fred Grinstein	....	post-production intern
Michelle Harrison	....	associate editor
Elizabeth Heeden	....	second conform assistant editor (as Elizabeth R. Heeden)
Kit Hui	....	post-production assistant
Irene Kassow	....	first assistant editor
Jonathan Kaye	....	second conform assistant editor (as Jonatan Kaye)
Marc Landers	....	post-production intern
Jordan Leff	....	post-production intern
Addison MacDonald	....	post-production intern (as Addison Macdonald)
Berndt Mader	....	post-production intern
Aleeza Marashlian	....	post-production intern
Dennis McNeill	....	color timer
Daishiro Narita	....	post-production assistant
Andy Newcomer	....	post-production intern
Tina Pacheco	....	first assistant editor
Maxine Pardo	....	post-production intern
Seyi Peter-Thomas	....	post-production intern
Cecile Rebbot	....	post-production intern
Olivia Relova	....	post-production intern
Sebastien Robeis	....	post-production intern
April Roth	....	post-production intern
Jennifer Ruff	....	avid support
Lousine Shamamian	....	apprentice editor
Michael Sledd	....	post-production intern
Patricia Sztaba	....	negative cutter
Stan Sztaba	....	negative cutter (as Stan)
Laura Weinberg	....	conform assistant editor
Virginia Williams	....	post-production intern
Tanya Yokum	....	post-production intern
John McNulty	....	apprentice editor (uncredited)
Ken Rubenfeld	....	dailies colorist (uncredited)

Music Department
Jim Dunbar	....	executive music producer
Christopher S. Parker	....	music clearances (as Chris Parker)
Randall Poster	....	music supervisor
Allan Zaleski	....	music editor

Transportation Department
Marty Carrington	....	driver
Robert C. Fite	....	driver
Wally Welch	....	driver

Other crew
Laird Adamson	....	assistant: Christine Vachon
Leora Backer	....	assistant production office coordinator
Aaron Bartz	....	production assistant
Paul Brennan	....	legal services: Sloss Law
Peter Burns	....	assistant: John Hart
Ronnie Butler	....	security
John Cadenhead	....	location manager
Terry K. Cahill	....	security
George Camarda	....	script supervisor: additional photography, New York
Judson Davenport	....	location production assistant
Rachel Dawson	....	production office coordinator: additional photography, New York
Stephen Dupree	....	production assistant
Barak Epstein	....	intern
Tony Estrada	....	location scout
Dee Evans	....	production office coordinator
Mark M. Faulkner	....	security
Andrea Friedman	....	additional location manager
Tommy Garrett	....	security
Kyle Gross	....	security
Jeremy Slade Haak	....	intern
Gabriel Harris	....	production assistant: additional photography, New York
Beverly G. Hendley	....	security
Jeff Hill	....	publicist
Gates Houp	....	production assistant
Susanne Jones	....	travel
Louis Katz	....	physician: New York (as Louis Katz, MD)
Kim Kyle	....	intern
Maria Lee	....	intern
Sherri Lennon	....	location manager
Joni Linton	....	script supervisor: second unit, Dallas
Jennifer Lobban	....	accounting intern
Jennifer Lobban	....	production intern
Ann Marsland	....	office production assistant
Jen McGowan	....	production assistant: additional photography, New York (as Jennifer McGowan)
Dr. Gerald Michaelson	....	physician: California (as Gerald Michaelson, MD)
Randy Miears	....	key set production assistant
Susan R. Millard	....	security
Ross Miller	....	insurance: D.R. Reiff And Associates
Pamela Mount	....	location scout
David O	....	production assistant
Roman Ostrowski	....	physician: New York (as Roman Ostrowski, MD)
Bill Perkins	....	location production assistant
Michael Raines	....	production assistant
Jack Riccobono	....	production assistant: additional photography, New York (as Jack Ricobono)
Pamela Richardson	....	script supervisor
Stanton Grant Richardson	....	security
Cody Rogers	....	office production assistant
Cody Rogers	....	set medic
Bob Roizman	....	projectionist: additional photography, New York
Ben Schoen	....	titles: Scarlet Letters
Paula Schoen	....	physician: California (as Paula Shoen, MD)
M.K. Shaw	....	production accountant
Mark Shelby	....	location scout
Fred Siegel	....	tax accountant (as Fred Siegel, CPA)
Anitra K-M Smith	....	office production assistant
Maya Stowe	....	assistant: Kim Peirce
Paul Worrel	....	physician: Texas (as Paul Worrel, MD)
Jason Zampino	....	production assistant: additional photography, New York
Sarah Nean Bruce	....	production advisor (uncredited)
Robert P. Campbell	....	product placement (uncredited)
Dylan Verrechia	....	assistant: Kim Peirce (uncredited)

Thanks
Rob Albright	....	thanks
Lynn Auerbach	....	thanks
Consuelo Saah Baehr	....	thanks
Tonyee Barretonetto	....	thanks
Kate Bornstein	....	thanks
Nancy Brody	....	thanks
Sarah Nean Bruce	....	thanks: Dallas/Fort Worth Film Commission (as Sara Bruce-Craft)
Eliza Byard	....	thanks
Lorne Cameron	....	thanks (as Loren Cameron)
Mark Christopher	....	thanks: for development in the film's initial stages
Dan Cowherd	....	thanks
DeMane Davis	....	thanks (as Demane Davis)
Lenore Dekoven	....	thanks
Esther Drill	....	thanks
Huong Duong	....	thanks
Nicole Eisenman	....	thanks
Alli Farrell	....	thanks (as Ali Farrell)
Tony Faulkner	....	thanks
Daphne Fitzpatrick	....	thanks
Ellen Franning	....	thanks
Alison Froling	....	thanks
Linda Gutierres	....	thanks
Lori E. Seid	....	thanks (as Lori E. Side)
Lana Tisdel	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Fox Searchlight Pictures (present)
• The Independent Film Channel Productions (present)
• Killer Films
• Hart-Sharp Entertainment

Distributors

• Fox Searchlight Pictures (1999) (USA) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox (2000) (Japan) (theatrical)
• UGC-Fox Distribution (UFD) (France) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (VHS)
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (Argentina)
• 20th Century Fox of Germany (Germany)
• Filmes Castello Lopes (Portugal)
• Gativideo (Argentina) (video)

Special Effects

• Custom Film Effects (optical effects)

Other Companies

• AC Delco Co.  thanks to (as AC Delco)
• All Payments Services  payroll (as All Payments)
• American Auto Rental  picture cars
• Arent Fox  thanks to (as Eileen at Arnet Fox)
• Automotive Fabrication  picture cars
• Bank of America  bank (as Bank of America Texas)
• Broadway Skateland  thanks to
• Budget Rent-a-Car  trucks
• C5  audio post production services (as C5, Inc.)
• Candlewood Suites  accommodations
• Cape Cod Chips  thanks to (as Cape Cod Potato Chips)
• Celis Beer  thanks to (as Celius Beer)
• Cine Shop  prop/set dressing shop
• City of Crandall, Texas  thanks to
• City of McKinney, Texas  thanks to
• Club Tassas  thanks to
• D.R. Reiff & Associates  insurance (as D.R. Reiff And Associates)
• DTA Tours & Travel  travel (as DTA Travel And Tours)
• Dallas Peterbilt  picture cars
• Direct Events  prop/set dressing shop
• Double Duece Bar  thanks to
• Falco Ink.  publicity (as Falco, Inc.)
• Falls City Journal, The  thanks to
• Farkas Films  thanks to
• Fina  thanks to
• Fossil  thanks to
• Goodedit  conform room (as Good Edit)
• Hand Held Films  camera equipment by: additional photography, New York
• Health Nut, The  caterers
• Hill Top Classics  picture cars
• Honest John's Caddy Corner  picture cars (as Caddy Corner)
• Independent Studio Services  prop/set dressing shop
• JP Morgan Chase Bank  bank (as Chase Bank NY)
• Karaoke Capital  karaoke equipment
• Koch Records  soundtrack available on
• Kodak  motion picture film
• Lesbian Herstory Archives, The  thanks to
• Mach II Travel  travel
• Mama's  catering by: additional photography, New York (as Mama's Food Shop)
• Manhattan Transfer  dailies
• McKinney Chamber of Commerce  thanks to
• McKinney Grain Company  thanks to
• Mill - McKinney, Texas, The  thanks to
• Mobile Production Services  expendables
• Nantucket Nectars  thanks to
• New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting, The  thanks to (as NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting)
• New York Foundation for the Arts  thanks to
• New York State Council on the Arts  thanks to (as New York State Council for the Arts)
• North Dallas R.V.  picture cars
• Ozarka Natural Spring Water, Co.  thanks to
• Panavision  cameras & lenses (as Panavision®)
• Paris Film Productions  lighting equipment by: additional photography, New York
• Post 391  editing room
• Presbyterian Hospital of Kaufman  thanks to
• PrimeCo Personal Communications  mobile phones (as Prime Co. Personal Communications)
• Red Derby Tavern, The  thanks to
• Reels on Wheels  shipping/freight
• Reliable Go Carts  picture cars
• Scarlet Letters  titles by
• Slosslaw  legal services (as Sloss Law)
• Sound One Corporation  re-recording mixer
• Spice of Life Catering  caterers
• Spin Cycle Post  ADR studio: NY
• Sundance Institute, The  developed with the assistance of (as the Sundance Film Institute)
• TMT  thanks to (as T.M.T. Inc.)
• Texas Metal Industries  thanks to
• The Astraea Foundation  thanks to (as Astrea Foundation)
• Thrifty Car Rental  cars (as Thrifty)
• Trade Audio Visuals  walkies (as Trade Audio Visual Corp.)
• Transsexual Menace  thanks to
• Ugly Duckling  picture cars
• Utility Trailer of Dallas  picture cars
• Wilshire Stages, The  ADR studio: CA (as Wilshire Stages)
• Women Make Movies  thanks to
• World Cinevision Services  negative cutter (as World Cinevision)

Also Known As:

Take It Like a Man (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence including an intense brutal rape scene, sexuality, language and drug use.

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Canada:R (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) (Canadian Home Video rating) | USA:R (Approved No. 36926) (edited for re-rating) | Philippines:R-18 | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Finland:K-16 (director's cut) | France:-16 | Germany:16 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIB | Italy:VM18 | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/18 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:NC-17 (original rating) | Brazil:18 | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

Premiere voted this movie as one of "The 25 Most Dangerous Movies".

Goofs:

Continuity: When Lana is talking to Candace and Kate about the first time she had sex with Brandon, she throws herself down on her bed, and puts her hands on her face. Her right hand is in front of her left hand, but in the next shot, they have swapped, and her left is in front of her right.

Quotes:

[John and Tom have pulled Brandon's pants down to show Lana that her boyfriend is biologically female, but Lana refuses to acknowledge it]
Lana: Leave him alone!
John Lotter: HIM?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in A Decade Under the Influence (2003)

Soundtrack:

Boys Don't Cry

Unflinchingly honest, disturbing, and heart-breaking

I was stunned by the simplicity and power of this fine film. It tells the true and tragic story of Teena Brandon/Brandon Teena, a woman living as a man in a small town in Nebraska. No matter what your personal opinions may be, this film does not preach. It tells the story in a matter-of-fact, honest and gritty way, but leaves you shaking your head in shock that such anger and hatred exists in these modern times, for someone who is "different" merely because of their sexual preference.

Relative newcomer Hilary Swank gives a heartfelt and courageous performance as Brandon. I say courageous not only because of the subject matter, but also because she is able to strip away her youthful, movie star glamour and become the character she plays. She is entirely convincing. Also, she shows a tremendous amount of guts for being able to get through the gut-wrenchingly violent rape scene. This was a brave choice, and a wise one.

Chloe Sevigny plays Lana, the girl Brandon loves. She is the only person who truly understands Brandon. Brandon finds himself in a world of drunken trailer trash and convicted felons. No one is free from guilt, but there is always the unspoken sin of being different. Hilary Swank and Chloe Sevigny play their tastefully erotic love scenes without seeming self-conscious. So many actors of their generation might be afraid to tackle these types of roles, but they do their jobs with aplomb.

The film was another that haunted me the day after seeing it. Kimberly Peirce manages to make a simple film about a very difficult subject, and she doesn't resort to Hollywood gloss or preachiness. It is a risky film, very difficult to watch in places, with several very violent and disturbing scenes. It is a story that needs to be told, and with the two Oscar-nominated performances from Ms. Swank and Ms. Sevigny, it succeeds.