M.I. Documentary Chosen for International Film Festival

DURHAM, N.C. - June 18, 2014 - PRLog -- M.I., A Different Kind of Girl, a riveting documentary film about a little known LGBTQ sub-culture is making its international debut this week at the 2014 We Speak, Here international online film festival sponsored by Culture Unplugged (cultureunplugged.com).

In M.I., Durham-based filmmakers Leslie Cunningham (producer and director) and Alana Jones (co-producer and writer), enter the world of new millennium drag and pick up the torch ignited by films like Paris is Burning to investigate attitudes in the North Carolina LGBT and African-American communities about women in drag.

Laine Brown, a spirited and passionate male impersonator born on North Carolina's rural coast, transforms by taping down her breasts, shaving her head, and studying the masculine performances of Usher, Neyo and many famous male entertainers- to become the incomparable NATION TYRE, show-stopper and ground-breaker for women in drag.

In her fledgling years on stage, Nation's drag 'family', the House of Tyre (tye-ree) from of Atlanta, GA, helped mold into a 'super studd', embodying a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week gender performance that rejected the "trans-" label but required a commitment to masculinity that left Nation feeling pressured to abandon the reality of her femaleness. The family, headed by Sincere Tyre, an established M.I. in his own right, wants Nation to be "harder," and ultimately return to Atlanta where this strict and complete dedication to masculinity dominates the female drag scene and Male Illusion is more accepted in the LGBTQ community. Nation's fiancée and biological family, while increasingly accepting of her sexuality and career as a Male Illusionist, want her to be more feminine in life.  Ultimately, Nation is challenged by a desire to please all of those that love her. Yet ultimately, she is on a mission to generate acceptance for women like her, a rainbow of more and less masculine women and Male Illusionists, and crack the nut of pop culture as a proud 'natural' woman reaching for stardom from the drag stage.

"I believe that we uncovered some powerful and fundamental ideas about life and identity that we hope will challenge viewers thinking about women, in general, and specifically, on drag stages reaching beyond the borders of the LGBTQ community," says filmmaker Leslie Cunningham.

Set in the American South, M.I., A Different Kind of Girl uses candid interviews, live performance footage, artful b-roll, images of striking green in the Carolina Piedmont and more to bring viewers through the flashing lights into the heart of Nation Tyre. Featuring music and special commentary by Hip Hop's hottest female duo, KIN4LIFE, their "Lone Ranger" song, a featured track in the film, is in response to the recent wave of media attention focused on attacks and bullying targeting LGBTQ youth. KIN4LIFE offers important commentary at the end of the film.

The film has been well received by diverse audiences across the U.S., including: Atlanta’s Out on Film, the NC Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and Philadelphia’s Black Pride Film Festival in 2012.

View the full version of M.I., A Different Kind of Girl online now at We Speak, Here - cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/play/50999/M-I---A-Different-Kind-of-Girl (http://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/...).

Watch the trailer now - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u92NxKwlLl4



About We Speak, Here Film Festival – Culture Unplugged debuted the We Speak, Here online film festival in 2008. We Speak explores the present forms of individual being, the currents of our collective humanity, the earth/nature/ environment, as well as the ever-evolving spirit/consciousness. With these festivals We Speak aspires to facilitate the divine impulse to shift our collective consciousness and co-create our culture and nature, within and without, that leads our present to the awaiting future.

About Culture Unplugged - Culture Unplugged is by and for global community of conscious storytellers, culture explorers and world citizens to reflect on issues and life experiences in contemporary world - a new media studio focused on producing as well as promoting socially & spiritually sensitive stories/films that does not merely express but pulsate to energize, enchant, enlighten, engage or embrace the humanity in us all. (cultureunplugged.com).

Visit M.I., A Different Kind of Girl at maleillusinionistthefilm(.com) for more information or to purchase on VOD or DVD at Amazon.com.