The filmmaker Joella Cabalu talks to Joseph Planta, about her new documentary It Runs in the Family, which screens at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, Tuesday, 16 August 2016; they discuss Filipino identity and more.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

The Vancouver Queer Film Festival is on here in town 11-21 August 2016, and having its hometown premiere is the documentary It Runs in the Family. Its director, producer and writer Joella Cabalu joins me now. Soon after her younger brother Jay comes out, the two head off to meet other members of their family who are queer. There’s a cousin in Oakland, California, a lesbian, as well as a cousin and uncle in the Philippines. We see Jay, as an artist creating a piece that reflects this journey of discovery and family identity. The relatives in the Philippines are particularly interesting, because there’s a cousin Carlo, who conducts himself as Jazz, a female, yet who retains aspects of his male identity, as well as Roman Catholic faith. The discussions with Jazz and an uncle named Chris regarding coming out are rather remarkable as it’s not as pronounced as it is say in Western culture. The film is a great view onto tolerance, family, and the lineage that one reconciles with thanks to divisions of generation, language and geography. Joella Cabalu is a filmmaker, with degrees from the University of British Columbia and Langara College. This is her first documentary, and will screen here in Vancouver, Tuesday, 16 August 2016 at 9.00pm at the Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinema. Having screened in Ontario, San Francisco, New York, and Seattle, the film will be broadcast this fall on OutTV. You can view a trailer on Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/151863064. The Twitter handle is @joellacabalu. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, sometime in late July, Joella Cabalu; Ms. Cabalu, good morning.

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