A trans man, and his cisgender and straight friend go on a weekend trip and uncover some old secrets in the indie drama film Summer Solstice starring Bobbi Salvör Menuez and Marianne Rendón.
Release Date
Directed by Noah Schamus, Summer Solstice world premiered at Provincetown Film Festival, and opens in theaters on June 14th.
Synopsis
Trans man Leo’s acting career may be about to take off, but in the meantime, his life’s a jumble of auditions, classes, barista jobs, and a friends – with – benefits – ship that he would like to be more. When Leo’s best friend from college, cisgender and straight Eleanor, calls him out of the blue and tells him she will be driving through NYC, and wants to go upstate for an impromptu weekend away, Leo says yes – even though he’s got a big callback first thing Monday, as well as years of unfinished business with Eleanor. But off to Hudson they go.
Things seem off to a smooth start, until they run into Leo’s former acting school classmate, trans man Oliver, and his cisgender friend, Joe. Despite Leo’s attempts to avoid them, Eleanor excitedly accepts their invitation for an afternoon of swimming and drinking. Over the course of the afternoon, Leo’s comfort with Oliver and Joe triggers an unexpectedly messy response from an increasingly inebriated Eleanor. Embarrassed, Leo has to drive a drunk Eleanor back to their place, where, before passing out, Eleanor realizes she left her phone.
Leo returns to the house to find Eleanor waiting with a melted iced coffee peace offering and a half – hearted apology. Off the two old friends go for a hike, studiously ignoring the new tension between them. But if the previous afternoon was a disaster, nature will prove none too healing: they get horribly lost in the woods, and the more they wander, the more they surface old wounds and new confusions, even as darkness falls.
Eventually, they make their way out of the woods, at which point Eleanor makes a surprising confession: she loves Leo, news which only compounds Leo’s frustration. After all, she knew he was in love with her in college. Eleanor says she didn’t “know know ” and …….
Ok no more spoilers
“As a trans filmmaker, I wanted Summer Solstice to offer a nuanced portrayal of queer and trans characters, one that focuses on the ordinary (and occasionally misplaced) intimacy between two friends. In a moment when the trans community is under attack across the country, I hope this film serves as a respite from horrific headlines and real violence for trans audiences and our allies, and contributes to a cinematic canon and a vision of the world in which we all belong.” – Noah Schamus, Writer & Director.
Official Trailer
Watch the official trailer for Summer Solstice