In the comedy boom of the late 1980’s Rick Scotti was a busy guy working clubs across the country when he came to the dawning realisation that nothing felt right. At a time when the words “gender dysphoria” and “gender affirming surgery” were rarely heard, Rick’s true awakening at age 47 led to a year of hormonal treatments, surgery, and a new identity as Julia Scotti. And then the doors shut tight. Everyone turned away – former wives, friends, family, comedy world buddies. Most painfully, Julia was shut out from contact with the people she most deeply loved – her children. She reinvented herself, spent a decade teaching, and then several years ago, stepped on stage and began the journey back to the world she loves. In that same period, her children made contact after 15 years of estrangement. The film tracks Julia’s triumphant comeback, the rough life on the comedy circuit, and the return of her children, as comedy becomes a shared language of identity, healing, and joy.
NYWIFT is running a free screening of Julia Scotti: Funny That Way followed by a Q&A with director and producer, Susan Sandler and comedian, Julia Scotti. Moderated by Tracy E. Gilchrist, editor in chief of The Advocate.
Click here to watch the trailer
Screening dates: Film available from Friday, 11 June starting at 9am through Monday, 14 June ending at 12am. You will receive a link when you register.
Q&A: Monday, 14 June at 4pm ET / 8 am Tuesday, Pacific time (NZ).