Lesbian rep/agent and former Chicagoan Nikki Weiss helped produce a film that was recently accepted into the Cannes Film Festival's short film program.
_______________________
From left: Helene Shaw, Nikki Weiss and Trish Doolan. Photo by Ryan Forbes
_______________________
'What's True' is a short film written and directed by out feature director Trish Doolan, whose lesbian-themed romantic comedy 'April's Shower' did well on the festival circuit a couple of years back. The film is just one of many doors that have opened for Weiss in the last several years since leaving the Windy City and immersing herself in everything Hollywood.
In 'What's True,' nine individuals suspected of murdering a man are interrogated. Through these interrogations, the viewer is forced to consider what's true, and not just in terms of who killed the deceased. Was the deceased an abusive cheater? Was he a closet case?
'It's about how there are three sides to every story,' Weiss told Windy City Times. 'There's your side, there's my side, and somewhere in the middle lies the truth.'
The film definitely has a human rights component. 'There are innocent people right now who are spending time behind bars for crimes that they didn't commit, while so many people are walking the streets that should be behind bars,' Weiss said. 'Really, you have to say, 'What is true?''
There are LGBT themes in the film, as well. One of the suspects is a gay college student who is one of the deceased's many lovers. Doolan, who appears in the film, plays a lesbian rape victim. Another woman plays her drug addicted lover.
Weiss, who started her career in acting and modeling, went back to her acting roots for 'What's True,' playing the role of one of the suspects.
'It was fun for me to be on that side of the camera again,' Weiss said.
Although, because of its length, 'What's True' isn't eligible for any awards at Cannes, the news is still fantastic.
'We were just happy for it being included in the shorts program and being seen,' said Weiss.
The 61st Annual Cannes Film Festival will be held through May 25.
'What's True' also serves as a taste test of what Nikki Weiss & Co.'s new media division, Strawberry Blonde Productions, has to offer. Strawberry Blonde Productions, which consists of Helene Shaw, Doolan and Weiss, is currently working on a number of television and film projects, including two features Doolan wrote that are in pre-production.
The short film was meant as a vehicle to fund upcoming Strawberry Blonde projects, but its strength helped it take on a life of its own, according to Weiss.
In addition to the Cannes news, Weiss has had a lot of success since moving to Los Angeles roughly two years ago. Weiss, who had previously had composers and directors as clients, started taking on talent. She took on the multi-talented Candis Cayne, who became her self-described 'labor of love.'
Weiss now manages Cayne, who plays Billy Baldwin's lover on ABC's 'Dirty Sexy Money.' Weiss launched Cayne's career on screen. Cayne is the first transgender actress on network television to be in a recurring role—a giant step for LGBT representation on the small screen. Weiss had met Cayne while working on a documentary film project about The Baton Show Lounge, literally just a year before 'Transamerica' made waves.
According to Weiss, Cayne will be back on 'Dirty Sexy Money' for its second and third seasons.
Weiss started out her career in acting and modeling, but then decided to become a rep. In 1993, she landed a job as an assistant agent in Chicago. She was only 21 years old. By the end of 1994, she opened her own agency with two clients: photographer/director Albert Watson and film composer Hans Zimmer. Years later, Weiss has a large roster of both commercial and feature talent.
'I was just a tenacious, young adult, and I wanted it so bad,' Weiss said.
Weiss said that she really hasn't encountered any bumps in the road since launching her career, and has never experienced anti-gay discrimination as an out producer and rep.
She feels that the tides are turning in Hollywood, especially since Ellen DeGeneres came out of the closet.
'I feel like more doors are being opened,' Weiss said. 'There are more gay characters on television. There's a huge gay mafia in Hollywood. I'm happy to be a part of that club!'
