I love that fashion is a new way into this conversation.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: First of all, I want to be everyones best friend in this film.
Theyre all such genuine, beautiful people.
Credit: John Parra/Getty Images
JASON BENJAMIN:I totally agree.
Im in love with all of them, I really am.
We all became such good friends making the film.
I think thats kind of rare.
The vibes are really positive, and I feel so lucky.
There are so many ways to cover LGBTQ issues; what about this particular angle spoke to you?
That was really what I was after.
It really stuck with me.
It was, to me, a moment of self-realization and self-empowerment.
Can you speak a little bit about how you translated that on screen?
It was really a way to look beyond the fact that they were much more than just their gender.
I was really trying to look beyond just the trans aspect by using the tailoring structure.
Was it an intentional touchstone?
DUNHAM:Not to speak for Jason, but hes a straight married dude with two kids.
BENJAMIN:My magnetic attraction to that one transformative moment led to a discovery of many different things.
When I look into the mirror, what do I see, and what is that like for me?
Were there any relationships between the subjects of the documentary and me that could help me feel empathy?
I wasnt trying to fit them into a thesis they were already part of the story.
We wanted diverse experiences in terms of gender, race, geography, even economics.
DUNHAM:A huge part of the American trans population thats often overlooked are trans teenagers.
BENJAMIN:All of the characters came to Bindle & Keep unprompted.
Once that process started, everybody said yes.
There was a lot of enthusiasm from the subjects in the film.
Lena, your sister Grace is one of those subjects.
She grew up in the New York art world.
Her self-identification was different than what she mightve imagined.
She was a good source for all of us, even if it was just looking over press materials.
On a personal level, Im proud of her for being so staunchlyinher identity.
Its a very unusual thing for a young person.
I think shes been very strong about it.
Was her experience part of what attracted you to the project when Jason brought it to you?
It was very hard not get excited about it and want to help in any way we could.
How do you hope this film contributes to the LGBTQ community?
DUNHAM:I agree, and I also love that fashion is a new way into this conversation.
I like the fact that we highlight that in a sensitive way.
What clothing do you feel most yourselves in?
DUNHAM:Jasons got a real uniform, and Ive come to really admire it.
I wish that I had one as clear.
One of my favorite facts about Jason is that he collects shirts from tattoo parlors.
He has a bunch of tattoo parlor T-shirts, but no tattoos.
And then he wears, like, vans and jeans.
My boyfriend said he looks like a modern Bruce Springsteen, which is a pretty high compliment.
Thats what makes me happy.
Im just waiting to be 85 and be in a pajama community.
Everyones welcome to join me.
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