| Description |
1 online resource (1 video file (approximately 40 min.)) : sound, color with black and white sequences |
| Summary |
A Chance To Dress explores the complexity of gender expression through the story of MIT Professor Emeritus and open cross dresser Dr. John "Tephra" Southard. The film follows the difficulties in coming out to his friends, neighbors and colleagues, but also his sense of liberation after a lifetime of secrecy. 76 year old Professor Emeritus John Southard recently came out to his family, friends and M.I.T colleagues as a cross-dresser after nearly 40 years of easy collegiality. His exuberant outing as "Tephra" is reflected, in part, by his efforts to be finally accepted as a full person in the geology department as well as in society. But his efforts have been met with mixed reactions. He takes pleasure in dining in restaurants and shopping for clothes with his wife Jean, yet he's aware of the stares from others when going out. Jean is his happy accomplice, but tells him "you need to do it right". Together they find a style that he likes and feels pretty in, but despite all efforts, they realize that he doesn't pass. A Chance To Dress follows Dr. Southard's challenges and difficulties in coming out but also his exuberance, his delight, his excitement and his sense of liberation after a lifetime of secrecy. His coming out is bittersweet as he finds acceptance from some, but avoidance from others. Ultimately, he only finds comfort socializing as Tephra at home, with Jean and close, accepting friends. John's journey weaves a story that intersects gender presentation, acceptance, the immutability of established institutions and the ultimate affirmation of the human spirit |
| Notes |
Originally produced by New Day Films in 2015 |
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Streaming video file |
| Credits |
Cinematographers, Tom Curran, Brian Dowley, David Rabinovitz, Jonathan Skurnik, Alice Bouvrie ; editor, Bernice Schneider ; composer, Claes Nystrom |
| Performer |
Participants: Dr. John "Tephra" Southard |
| Notes |
Soundtrack in English |
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Description based on online resource; title from title frame (Kanopy, viewed January 31, 2020) |
| Subject |
Southard, John B. (John Brelsford)
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| SUBJECT |
Southard, John B. (John Brelsford) fast |
| Subject |
Cross-dressers -- United States -- Biography
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Cross-dressing -- Case studies
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Gender identity -- Case studies
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Geologists -- United States -- Biography
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Geologists
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Gender identity
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Cross-dressing
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Cross-dressers
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United States
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| Genre/Form |
documentary film.
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Nonfiction films
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Feature films
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Case studies
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Biographies
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Biographical films
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Documentary films
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Documentary films.
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Feature films.
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Nonfiction films.
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Case studies.
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Biographical films.
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Documentaires.
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Films autres que de fiction.
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Études de cas.
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Films biographiques.
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| Form |
Streaming video
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| Author |
Bouvrie, Alice Dungan, film producer, film director, cinematographer.
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Curran, Tom (Cinematographer), cinematographer
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Dowley, Brian, cinematographer.
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Rabinovitz, David, cinematographer.
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Skurnik, Jonathan, cinematographer.
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Schneider, Bernice, editor of moving image work.
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Nystrom, Claes, composer (expression)
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Southard, John B. (John Brelsford), on-screen participant.
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Mineral King Productions, production company.
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Kanopy (Firm), film distributor.
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