World Premiere
XY Chelsea
| UK | 92 MINUTES | EnglishDocumentary, LGBTQIA, Politics, Biography, Journalism
How did a war in Iraq founded on deception end up with the court marshall of the truth teller? This question frames XY Chelsea, a documentary set in the aftermath of the release from prison of Chelsea Manning, a former U.S. Army soldier and intelligence analyst convicted of violating the Espionage Act in 2013, after leaking classified U.S. documents to WikiLeaks. Manning’s information revealed illegal practices—such as torture and abuse of detainees and the unreported deaths of over 15,000 civilians—engaged by the U.S. military.
While imprisoned, Manning, a trans woman, also began to transition medically. The film offers insight to her motivations for whistleblowing, and ultimately, for taking on the U.S. government. What is seemingly a portrait of a polarizing figure in recent American history also doubles for the blueprint on how patriotic Americans can resist an unlawful ruler.
—Felix Endara
After the Premiere Screening: a conversation with Chelsea Manning's legal counsel Nancy Hollander and Vince Ward, producer Isabel Davis, director Tim Travers Hawkins, and journalist Janus Rose. Moderated by The Hollywood Reporter's Eriq Gardner.
While imprisoned, Manning, a trans woman, also began to transition medically. The film offers insight to her motivations for whistleblowing, and ultimately, for taking on the U.S. government. What is seemingly a portrait of a polarizing figure in recent American history also doubles for the blueprint on how patriotic Americans can resist an unlawful ruler.
—Felix Endara
After the Premiere Screening: a conversation with Chelsea Manning's legal counsel Nancy Hollander and Vince Ward, producer Isabel Davis, director Tim Travers Hawkins, and journalist Janus Rose. Moderated by The Hollywood Reporter's Eriq Gardner.
Cast & Credits
Directed by
Tim Hawkins
Tim Travers Hawkins is an award-winning independent director. He co-founded the award-winning Colombian experimental film collective Cinemachete, whose work included El Otro Lado de La Cienaga (2007), Oury Jalloh (2008), and Posh (2010). Further credits include the acclaimed animated film 1000 Voices, Surpriseville, and the interactive project Invisible Picture Show.
Director
Tim Travers Hawkins
Producer
Julia Nottingham, Lucas Ochoa, Thomas Benski, Isabel Davis
Screenwriter
Mark Monroe
Cinematographer
Tim Travers Hawkins
Editor
Enat Sidi, Andrea Scott
Executive Producer
Laura Poitras, Charlotte Cook, Vinnie Malhotra, Mary Burke, Michael Bloom, Lisa Leingang, Sharon Chang, Christos Konstantakopoulos, Blaine Vess, Marisa Clifford, Ryan Harrington
Cast
Chelsea Manning, Nancy Hollander, Vince Ward, Chase Strangio
Panelists
Janus Rose
Isabel Davis
Isabel Davis is Head of Production/Producer for Pulse Films, having joined the studio in 2013. With over 10 years of experience in television, documentary and film she has worked with some of the world’s leading broadcasters as well as working on BAFTA & EMMY winning documentaries. Among the projects Davis is currently producing is the forthcoming documentary feature XY CHELSEA about whistleblower Chelsea Manning, which will premiere on Showtime in 2019 and A DOG NAMED MONEY with PJ Harvey, which received its World Premiere at Berlinale Film Festival 2019
Tim Hawkins
XY Chelsea was a film born with an invisible protagonist. My vision for this film was then, and has remained, a character-driven film in which the personal and political are woven and collide in the most spectacular contemporary style. It is a coming of age story that captures the post-millennial Zeitgeist. Chelsea has emerged from prison as a rich, complex, layered human being, as we all are. She does not fall into simple categories, she is neither a hero nor a traitor, and does live up to all the expectations placed on her, both by her supporters and those who reject her actions as treasonous. This is her story told from the inside.
Eriq Gardner
Vince Ward
Contacts
International Sales Contact
Print Source
Sophia Fields
SHOWTIME Networks Inc
Los Angeles, 90048
Phone: 310 234 5361
sophia.fields@showtime.net
SHOWTIME Networks Inc
Los Angeles, 90048
Phone: 310 234 5361
sophia.fields@showtime.net