Port Authority

Port Authority
Director
Danielle Lessovitz
Country
France, United States
Year
2019
Genre
Drama, Fiction
Scriptwriters
Danielle Lessovitz
Cast
Fionn Whitehead, Leyna Bloom, McCaul Lombardi
Production
Madeleine Films, RT Features, Sikelia

Storyline

Paul (15) arrives to New York City’s dizzying central bus station, Port Authority, expecting to be picked up by his new guardian, cousin Janet. As he waits for her he watches a searingly beautiful trans girl, Wye, vogue with her “ball family” on the steps outside. When his cousin fails to arrive, Paul is thrust into the city. A violent encounter leads him to befriend Sway, a successful street kid, who offers him a rare spot in a youth shelter. In exchange, Paul must work illegal “jobs” forcing low-income tenants out of their rent-stabilized apartments. One job leads Paul to where Wye and her ball family live. Wye is intrigued by Paul, and unaware of the sinister nature of his work, invites him to a Kiki Ball, an electrifying pageant where queer minority youth perform in outrageous outfits. Paul finds salvation in this glittering fantasy world and Wye’s love, until he discovers that Wye is biologically male. Unable to process it, he searches for his cousin and learns that she was invented by family trying to get rid of him. As his work with Sway becomes more violent, Paul reunites with Wye in a kinetic, transcendent moment, only to discover that she is Sway’s next target.

Festivals & Academy awards and others

Festival de Cannes 2019
Un Certain Regard