clothes, Fairplay evolved from
offering basic beauty services to
crafting full fetish fantasies.
We spoke with the film's director
on the eve of "The Godmother"
premiere at Veterans Memorial
Hall.

Q: With S.I.'s pervasive mafia
stereotypes, I can't help but PHOTO BY STEPHANIE WARD
ask: Was the film's title
intended to push -- good-
Director Jeanine Corbet, right, and co-
naturedly, of course -- a few
producer Sally Polizzi on the set of "The
Godmother." NOW SHOWING: "The
buttons?
Godmother"

A
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. July 10
: Well, it's kind of a mix. It's a
little bit of fairy godmother, a little
WHERE: Veterans Memorial Hall on the
bit of the godfather in there.
grounds of Snug Harbor Cultural Center &

Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terr.,
Q: Were there any problems
Livingston; Snug-Harbor.org.
with privacy issues? HOW MUCH: $10 suggested donation.

Cocktail reception to follow. Visit
A: Fred is an open book, but we
FilmFataleProductions.com for more
had a big problem at the beginning
information.
finding other people who were
willing to appear on camera. Part
of what he offers is privacy, the ability to cross-dress in an environment that's
totally supportive and accepting. A lot of them don't leave Fairplay, so it was a
big obstacle. The majority would not appear on camera. We had to keep going
back and chipping away until we got the few who would discuss their
experience. Their stories wind up being very compelling.

Q: Was this your introduction to the transgendered world?

A: I was familiar with drag culture -- events like Wigstock in East Village, and
clubs with drag go-go dancers. But cross-dressing at Fairplay is primarily
men who are straight, who are married, who are completely closeted about
this. That was interesting to me. I wasn't aware about how true this was. It
was interesting to hear their life stories and what they get out of it. I wasn't
coming in with preconceptions, but these are not the kind of questions you
would bring up in normal conversation. So we all got a real education in some
respects.

Q: Is there a message to the film, or is it just flat-out camp
entertainment?

A: We want to dispel some of the prejudice against this. And kind of show
that these men are people, too. These guys are doing something they enjoy.
There's nothing that mysterious about it. Fred makes them up, does their hair
and helps them dress. He allowed us to film him dressing and making himself
up so we could watch this transformation happen. So we could understand
how he alters his entire body without hormones or surgeries. It's all done
with corsets and padding and cosmetics. It was amazing to watch it as an
observer.

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