Movies

In new indie flick ‘Ponyboi,’ River Gallo sheds light on an intersex experience

BBG News

In a casual conversation at Walmart in 2010, River Gallo wondered aloud, “How on earth does this baby understand if she adores her father,” upon observing an infant sucking on a pacifier that read “I love my daddy.

In a recent chat, the captivating Gallo shared, “That sparked a deep reflection on my personal struggles with my father and the unavoidable bond we share as children with our families, particularly parents, and in this case, fathers. It also delved into broader themes about masculinity.

As I delved into a spontaneous moment of self-reflection during my time studying acting at NYU, it sowed the initial idea that eventually blossomed into a 10-minute performance piece. This seed then grew into my USC thesis-turned-short film “Ponyboi,” which was released in 2017. In this project, I took on the roles of writer, actor, and co-director with Sadé Clacken Joseph. Over time, this work evolved into a full-length feature film titled “Ponyboi,” which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024. It was the first production under Fox Entertainment Studios’ independent label, Tideline, and hit theaters nationwide on June 27, 2024.

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Once more, Gallo skillfully wore multiple hats: scriptwriter, producer, and lead actor. He portrayed a character named after the title, an intersex Latine individual working as a sex worker in New Jersey. This character yearns to break free from their oppressive pimp (played by Dylan O’Brien) and the dangerous criminal underworld they are entangled in.

The film offers glimpses into Ponyboi’s challenging childhood, marked by intrusive medical treatments and a stern, traditionally macho Latino father. These flashbacks help the audience understand Ponyboi’s past. Concurrently, dreamlike scenes featuring a charming cowboy-hatted man named Bruce (played by Murray Bartlett) create a vivid and thematically deep environment that reflects Ponyboi’s current circumstances. This character, Bruce, symbolizes a positive form of masculinity in the narrative.

From the surface, ‘Ponyboi’ might appear to be simply a story about a fugitive, but upon deeper reflection, it’s a journey of a character discovering liberation through embracing their past and daring to envision a future that shines brighter if they transcend their own self-imposed limitations.” (Gallo explains)

Gallo is an individual born to Salvadoran immigrants who sought refuge in the U.S. due to their homeland’s civil war in 1980, living there as undocumented residents. Growing up in New Jersey, Gallo nurtured a passion for acting from a young age. A pivotal moment came when a stern teacher offered unexpected encouragement after Gallo performed in a musical during their sophomore year of high school, inspiring them to dedicate their life to the world of art.

According to Gallo, his biology teacher, Mrs. Lagatol, attended his musical performance. The following day, he was eagerly anticipating her feedback but she remained silent. Instead, when returning a test, she left a note: “If you had been the only performer on stage, it would have been worth the ticket price. Well done.

Gallo still keeps that Post-it note framed.

Despite having supportive parents, Gallo confesses to experiencing frustration lately because their family hasn’t entirely grasped the extent of their achievements as a marginalized figure in the entertainment industry – specifically as an intersex individual and a first-generation Latine.

Gallo humbly admits that for any film school graduate, having your first feature film screened at Sundance is an incredibly significant achievement. However, he emphasizes that there’s no one else quite like him who has managed to accomplish what he’s doing. There isn’t anyone before or alongside him in terms of his unique identities.

This desire for a more informed validation is even stronger in relation to their father.

Gallo mentioned that his father hasn’t watched any of his films yet. On the other hand, his mother did attend the premiere at Sundance and enjoyed it immensely, as did his sister. Gallo added that it wouldn’t shock him if his father never watches his movies, but he supports him in other aspects.

During our chat, Gallo notices a Bruce Springsteen T-shirt on them. This isn’t just by chance, as “The Boss,” another Jersey native, played a significant role in shaping “Ponyboi.” In fact, while they were drafting the screenplay for the short version, Gallo was simultaneously immersed in Springsteen’s autobiography, “Born to Run,” and some of that influence seeped into their work.

That summer, I embarked on a journey to the Jersey Shore and gazed upon the Stone Pony, the stage where [Springsteen] made his breakthrough. Standing there, I found myself humming ‘Stone pony, stone pony, pony, pony, pony boy, ponyboi.’ It was a fitting name that stuck with me, eventually becoming the moniker for my character.

For Gallo, the iconic American musician and songwriter, Springsteen, embodies the concept of being part of the working class, a notion that Gallo believes goes beyond any political beliefs. Being a descendant of immigrants, Springsteen’s work resonates deeply with Gallo.

According to Gallo, his father, who had darker skin than him, was an electrician and a member of a union. Unfortunately, he encountered a lot of racial prejudice within the New York unions. Gallo notes that there are many similarities between his father and Bruce Springsteen, both in terms of their professions and how they describe their relationships with their fathers, who struggled to express their emotions.

In this regard, Gallo recruited Esteban Arango, a Los Angeles-based filmmaker who hails from Colombia and whose first movie, “Blast Beat,” made its premiere at Sundance in 2020.

As a film reviewer, I must confess that, though I wholeheartedly believe Arango grasped the intricacies of our storyline, parting with the director’s seat was indeed a bitter pill to swallow. However, it was an essential concession to concentrate on the performances and propel the project forward.

According to Gallo, going to school for directing made things challenging, but he feels that if he had directed the movie, it wouldn’t have been possible on the current timeline. The process would have taken significantly longer, yet we required the movie to be released now.

Arango added a gritty, raw quality to the storyline. According to the director, speaking over Zoom from his LA residence, “I believed the tale required more grimness.” He explained that the hypermasculine environment of New Jersey consistently attempts to suppress and marginalize Ponyboi because they are threatened by his softer, more feminine essence which they strive to conceal.

Arango emphasized the striking difference between Ponyboi’s tender inner self and the rugged nature of their external world.

As a cinephile delving into the world of film, I initially hesitated to take on the project of “Ponyboi,” primarily because I’m not queer myself. However, my own experiences as an immigrant provided me with a unique perspective, allowing me access to the intricate narratives of fluid identities. Yet, throughout this creative journey, I made it crystal clear that “Ponyboi” was first and foremost a narrative about intersex individuals – those who defy the restrictive boundaries of the traditional gender binary.

He expresses that their struggles should resonate with us, as they represent the essence of freedom. When someone targets them or fails to comprehend their choices, it’s essentially an assault on everyone, revealing a lack of self-awareness within us.

In the context of transgender legislation, the experiences and perspectives of intersex individuals are often overlooked and underrepresented. Unfortunately, these legislations can also be harmful to intersex people, as they may contain provisions that are detrimental to them.

In the year 2023, Gallo was among the three individuals featured in Julie Cohen’s insightful documentary “Every Body,” which delves into the intersex experience, specifically addressing instances where the medical field unnecessarily conducts procedures with the intention of making intersex individuals conform to societal norms.

For a prolonged period, I harbored feelings of discomfort about my intersex identity, an aspect I once contemplated keeping hidden, even to the point where I thought I might carry this secret to my grave.

Gallo states, “I can’t put it any other way – it feels like my work on self-discovery is a divine intervention. I felt compelled to do it because I sensed both the world and I needed it right now. ‘Ponyboi’ taught me about the control I have over my art, myself, and my life.

In simpler terms, Gallo points out that some anti-trans laws have provisions that allow doctors to perform unnecessary and sometimes nonconsensual surgeries on intersex minors, labeling these procedures as normalization of intersex bodies. They emphasize that the issue of intersex rights is often overlooked in discussions about transgender legislation, making it essential to recognize these bills as anti-intersex as well.

To truly grasp Gallo as an individual and an artist, it’s recommended to watch both “Every Body” and “Ponyboi.” The former documentary reveals the fundamental aspects of Gallo’s personality, rooted in their intersex identity, presented without symbolism, but rather, the straightforward facts. In contrast, “Ponyboi” offers a glimpse into Gallo’s inner world, utilizing the expressive power of cinema to convey poetic insights into their personal life.

Yet, for Gallo, the current situation of “Ponyboi” may not hold significant importance compared to the movie serving as a symbol of their combined creativity as an artistic duo.

Gallo passionately declares that regardless of whether they adore or despise the movie, what truly matters is that it touched something profound within them, a wound they’ve been carrying since time immemorial. In a culture where intersex individuals often remain unseen, Gallo now feels seen by themselves, and finds the journey worthwhile.

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2025-06-27 23:31

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