Films A to Z

I Am Michael

Runtime:
98 min.
Year of Production:
2015
Country:
USA
Director:
Cast:

Zachary Quinto
Emma Roberts
Avan Jogia
Carver Charlie
Daryl Hannah
Lesley Ann Warren
Jefferson Mays
Jan Maxwell
Ahna O'Reilly
Nick Rehberger
Leven Rambin
Kevin Cahoon
Production Company:
Patriot Pictures
Berlinale Section:
Panorama
Berlinale Category:
Feature Film

San Francisco in 1998. Queer activist Michael is passionately committed to supporting gay and lesbian youths. His own deep longing to belong means that he is tirelessly engaged in redefining his own existence, absorbing with apparent ease young Tyler into his long-term relationship with his friend Bennett. The trio decides to travel America to record on film the lives of gay teenagers. They subsequently manage to raise the cash to launch Michael’s own LGBT magazine. But Michael isn’t happy with the way he’s living his life. Following a suspected heart attack he strives to find a way to balance sexuality and spirituality and decides to leave his chosen family and friends. After engaging in meditative contemplation and heterosexual experiments, he firmly embraces Christianity. In
his 
sensitive directorial debut, Justin Kelly deftly juxtaposes different periods of time to describe the unusual transformation of Michael Glatze, the co-founder of the magazine ‘Young Gay America’ and a one-time inspirational figure of the LGBT community who, after prolonged and persistent soulsearching, decided to reject homosexuality and become a preacher.

BIOGRAFIE Justin Kelly

Born in Van Nuys, California in 1980, he is a writer and director based in Los Angeles. He began by directing short films (FRONT, DEBRIS, GIRL!) which screened at festivals worldwide, and music videos for MTV. After working as a feature film producer (CRYPTIC, HIGHLAND PARK, THE WAIT), he returned to focusing on his own films, beginning with the Gus Van Sant produced biopic I AM MICHAEL

FILMOGRAFIE Justin Kelly (selection)

2018 JT LeRoy  2018 Welcome the Stranger  2016 King Cobra  2015 I Am Michael  2009 Girl  2008 Front   2007 Debris  

Justin Kelly @IMDb
I Am Michael @IMDb
interview with Justin Kelly about I am Michael
Trailer

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