Tribeca 2023

"Chasing Chasing Amy" offers a thought-provoking look at the complex space "Chasing Amy" occupies within our culture. Director Sav Rogers, a transgender male, recounts being obsessed with the film as a 17-year-old and credits it with saving his life. He previously gave a TED talk detailing his experience that went viral. Sav sets out to make this documentary to pay tribute to the film and the filmmakers and explore why it is controversial among the LGBTQ+ community. Sav interviews Kevin Smith, who explains how the characters and dialogue were conceived. We also get the perspective of contemporary lesbian filmmaker Guinevere Turner ("Go Fish"). Having befriended Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier, she was part of the inspiration for the Amy character. Yet when "Chasing Amy" achieves critical acclaim, she has to watch this cis white male reap all kinds of accolades for telling a gay story when she's been filming gay stories without garnering nearly as much attention. It's fascinating how art can be recontextualized entirely based on perspective. What is a life-saving work of art to some could be a nasty, non-affirming scar to others. Layer in the fact that Sav is filming and conducting interviews while coming out as trans and transitioning--the audience can witness Sav's own perspective shift. But the most significant revelations come from Sav's interview with Joey Lauren Adams. She pushes back on Sav's line of questioning and reveals she does not fondly look back on that period of her life, recounting her relationship and breakup with Kevin, having to be around Harvey Weinstein, remembering the alleged Rose McGowan rape that occurred at the Sundance festival where "Chasing Amy" premiered, and her treatment in the media and subsequent discourse of the film. 

"Chasing Amy" turned out to be not at all like I expected, and I really enjoyed it for that reason. It's a fascinating exploration of our relationship with art--how they can differ based on perspective and how they can change over time with new contexts. Worth checking out whether you're a "Chasing Amy" lover or detractor. 

— 3.5 / 5 ⭐