Boys Don't Cry Response
I believe that movies, such as Boys Don't Cry, DO bring attention to concerning and pressing issues that the audience(public) should be aware of. Just as media sell more tragic stories and headlines, movies that end in tragedy tend to pique awareness. Usually, this effect is heightened even more, if there is tragedy or death in a film that is based on true events. In Boys Don't Cry for instance, Brandon's tragic death at the end of the film really secures the urgent importance for audiences to understand and sympathize with transgender individuals. As Kimberly Pierce mentioned in her creative process interview, she wanted the audience to really sympathize with Brandon's situation, as well as other characters. This is why Pierce wanted to accurately portray even small details such as the farmhouse that the film was shot on. Instead of choosing a nicer-looking farmhouse, Pierce understood that that would not accurately depict the true setting of the film. Inturn, the audience's response would not be accurate and as sympathetic. Sometimes, however, in films this awareness is heightened through exaggeration of the "true" events. Pierce mentions that Brandon's reasons and responses are unclear/ or not 100% known, simply because there was no direct interview with Brandon. Essentially, the director chooses why a character would think or act a certain way. I don't think that this exaggeration, though, lessens the audiences awareness or the impact on the audience. Ultimately, I believe that a film even slightly based on true events sends a stronger message and urgency to the audience watching and absorbing images that are then translated into prolific messages.