Summer Solstice centers on Leo, a trans man, and Eleanor, his cisgender and straight friend from college, who embark on an impromptu weekend trip together going upsate. They uncover old secrets, new challenges, and find the answer to the age-old question: can bad sex and good friends mix? Maybe! Maybe not.
Trans man Leo’s (Bobbi Salvör Menuez) life is a jumble of auditions, acting classes, barista jobs, and situationships, all of which he hopes will amount to more. Unexpectedly, Leo’s college best friend, cisgender and straight Eleanor (Marianne Rendón), calls Leo announcing that she’ll be driving through NYC, and offers to pick him up for an impromptu trip upstate.
They embark on the weekend getaway, marking their first time spent together since Leo began transitioning. Reunited with new gender dynamics between them, and uncovering problems lurking behind Eleanor’s “well-meaning” façade, Leo and Eleanor navigate how their old feelings towards one another exist within this new context, forcing them both to confront buried secrets and emotions.
A modern twist on the buddy comedy from a queer and trans perspective, Noah Schamus’ debut feature Summer Solstice is a celebration of friendship, resilience, and coming of age again.
Directed by: Noah Schamus Views: 36
Starring: Keenan Jolliff, Yaron Lotan, Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Mila Myles, Marianne Rendón, Tracy Sallows, Monica Sanborn, Elizabeth Ward Land
Screenplay by: Noah Schamus
Production Design by: Joyce Lai
Cinematography by: Jack Davis
Film Editing by: Christopher McKee, Emily Packer
Set Decoration by: Adrielle Farr
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Amazon Studios
Release Date: June 16, 2023
