The Olympia Timberland Library and Olympia Film Society (OFS) are thrilled to co-present Corpses, Fools, and Monsters: A Trans Author Talk and Film Fest, opens a new window. On July 13th the library is hosting a free author talk with trans film writers Caden Mark Gardner and Willow Catelyn Maclay, whose book Corpses, Fools, and Monsters: The History and Future of Transness in Cinema hits shelves on July 9th. The following weekend (7/19-7/21) the Olympia Film Society is screening six films written about at length in the book.
When designing programs for the library, staff are always looking for ways to partner with community organizations who share similar goals, in hopes of making the programs we offer more meaningful to the community. The library and OFS have worked together to offer several great events over the years, and we were thrilled when they jumped at the opportunity to help support this author talk. Most of the films they are screening are rarely shown in theaters, and some are nearly impossible to stream.
Gardner and Maclay are two of the best film writers working today, and their new book is poised to become a foundational text about cinema and queer history. Delving deep into the history of trans representation in cinema, the authors examine the earliest trans images in silent film, to the New Queer Cinema of the 1990s, the massive success of The Matrix, to a new era of trans-authored movies engaging audiences today.
Gardner and Maclay selected six movies to screen at the OFS, and recorded a special introduction for each. Library patrons can purchase tickets at OFS Member prices. Orca Books Co-op will sell copies of Corpses, Fools, and Monsters at the library event and select film screenings – as well some suggestions hand-picked by Gardner, Maclay, and Orca staff. During the Fest, the Olympia Film Society will sell merchandise featuring custom art to raise funds for our friends at Pizza Klatch, who work directly to support LGBTQ+ youth.
Be sure to browse the list below. It contains several of the films written about in the book, some trans-authored books beloved by Gardner and Maclay, as well as library and Orca staff. In the coming days, you can also visit the Olympia or West Olympia library to snag a special zine celebrating these events, and full of additional suggestions.
Those interested in the author talk can either attend in-person, or register for a Zoom link here.
Visit the OFS website for details on the Film Fest!
On July 13, 2024 authors Willow Catelyn Maclay and Caden Mark Gardner will discuss their new book Corpses, Fools, and Monsters: The History and Future of Transness in Cinema. The event takes place at the Olympia library and online. If you cannot attend in-person, you can register for a Zoom link here: https://timberland.bibliocommons.com/events/662ff3635e1ddf36006457cf This list includes several of the movies featured in the book, as well as some trans-authored books beloved by the authors and staff. Checkout the book or ask library staff for more great suggestions!
