Synopsis

In rural Nebraska, Brandon Teena begins a new life presenting as a young man and quickly becomes part of a close-knit social circle. He falls in love with Lana, whose acceptance gives him hope for a future together. When Brandon's identity is exposed, prejudice and violence destroy the fragile world he has built, leading to a devastating confrontation.

Factoids & Trivia

• Kimberly Peirce first encountered Brandon Teena's story while studying at Columbia University. She initially planned to make a short film, but the project eventually developed into a feature after nearly five years of research and writing.

• The film was originally developed under the title "Take It Like a Man." It premiered under that title in excerpts at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival before being renamed "Boys Don't Cry."

• Although the story takes place in Falls City, Nebraska, the production filmed mainly in Greenville, Texas. The change was largely a practical decision caused by the film's limited budget.

• The screenplay drew on archival material from the documentary "The Brandon Teena Story," including dialogue based on recorded interviews connected with the case.

• The filmmakers simplified some of the real events. In the actual 1993 attack, Phillip DeVine, a Black disabled man, was also killed, but his story and character were left out of the film.

• The production initially received an NC-17 rating because of its sexual violence and subject matter. It was later reclassified as R after changes and appeals.

• The film's dark visual style was designed to evoke an artificial version of nighttime rather than conventional moonlit realism. Its cinematography was influenced by neorealism, Martin Scorsese, John Cassavetes, and the films of Michael Powell and Kenji Mizoguchi.

• "Boys Don't Cry" became a major breakthrough for Hilary Swank, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress. The film also received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

• In 2019, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.