Kimberly Peirce: From "Boys Don't Cry" to "Carrie"

Boys Don't Cry is a truly unforgettable film. The tragic story of transgender teenager Brandon Teena, murdered in Nebraska when his identity was discovered, the 1999 movie became a touchstone in the national debate on sexuality. It also made stars of Hilary Swank and Chloë Sevigny, earning the former an Oscar for Best Actress and the latter a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Kimberly Peirce wrote and directed the film, her first, and one of the most astonishing debuts in movie history. In 2008, she followed up with the widely hailed Stop-Loss, an empathetic portrait of Iraq War veterans inspired by her brother's experiences. This October comes the much-anticipated Carrie, an adaptation of the Stephen King classic starring Julianne Moore. Peirce, a University of Chicago alumna, returns to the city to discuss her career and her place among a small cadre of female directors in Hollywood helping to shape cinema in the 21st century. Peirce is joined in conversation by WBEZ's Alison Cuddy.

This program is presented as part of the annual Karla Scherer Endowed Lecture Series for the University of Chicago and in partnership with Center on Halsted.