PARK CITY, Utah – The Sundance Film Festival, known for its celebration of innovation and discovery, is set to premiere “Ponyboi,” a groundbreaking genre-blending road movie. The film, written and starring River Gallo, tells the story of Ponyboi, an intersex sex worker navigating life in New Jersey. With elements of crime, action, and dark comedy, “Ponyboi” sheds light on the intersex experience, a rarely explored subject in cinema.
River Gallo, an intersex artist who identifies as non-binary and trans fem, brings their personal history to the project. Raised as a “normal” boy, Gallo’s parents revealed to them at age 12 that they were born with a condition called Anochria. Without Gallo’s consent, they underwent cosmetic surgery and testosterone treatment to present as a cisgender man. The film explores the pressure for certain queer individuals to assimilate and the spectrum of acceptable masculinity and femininity.
In an interview with Variety, Gallo discussed their involvement with the Sundance Institute and the Trans Possibilities Intensive. The support and mentorship received from Sundance played a significant role in the development of “Ponyboi” and gave Gallo hope that their work would come to fruition.
The concept for “Ponyboi” originated as a theater piece during Gallo’s time at NYU and evolved into a performance art piece centered around a queer sex worker in New Jersey grappling with their identity. Gallo’s personal journey led them to delve deeper into their medical history as an intersex individual, a topic that had not been explored in narrative films before.
One refreshing aspect of “Ponyboi” is its ability to bring elements of comedy and action into a larger emotional struggle, challenging the often sad or hopeless portrayal of queer and trans identities in indie movies. Gallo aimed to create a more nuanced and complex narrative, highlighting the differences between being intersex and being trans and the expectations placed upon these communities.
Gallo’s choice of an exceptional cast for their first-time feature, including Dylan O’Brien, Victoria Pedretti, and Murray Bartlett, added depth to the film. Murray had seen Gallo’s short film at Tribeca in 2019 and reached out to be a part of “Ponyboi.” Victoria, a fellow artist represented by the same agency, became a close friend of Gallo. Dylan, who joined the cast later, had to overcome fears surrounding sensitive subject matter but brought levity and humanity to his character.
The success of “Ponyboi” lies in its ability to depict a universal story of self-discovery and acceptance amidst confusion and indecision. The film challenges the notion of conforming to societal expectations and celebrates the beauty of embracing uncertainty.
Looking ahead, Gallo is already working on their next feature film, with plans to star and potentially direct. They are eager to take on new creative challenges and explore their passion for theater, with hopes of returning to the stage.
As the 40th anniversary of the Sundance Film Festival approaches, the premiere of “Ponyboi” promises to captivate audiences with its innovative storytelling and thought-provoking exploration of the intersex experience. This groundbreaking film brings a unique perspective to the forefront and paves the way for more inclusive narratives in the future.