In the world of filmmaking, many pursue careers as screenwriters, directors, or storytellers to share resonant stories with a broad audience. This passion is clear from the opening scene of Andy and Danny Vallentine’s first collaborative feature, *The Mattachine Family*. The film is a deeply personal exploration of queer family dynamics and evolving concepts of parenthood, a subject close to the Vallentines’ hearts and community.
*The Mattachine Family* presents a multifaceted portrayal of queer families, focusing on Thomas (Nico Tortorella) and Oscar (Juan Pablo Di Pace) as they navigate the uncertainties of parenthood after fostering a child. The film broadens the narrative to include various family creation methods for queer couples, supported by a powerful ensemble cast that strengthens the film’s core message. The Vallentines themselves relied on their own network of trust and support throughout the production to bring this heartfelt story to life.
Ahead of the film’s screening at the Outfest Film Festival in Los Angeles, Andy and Danny Vallentine spoke with No Film School about the film’s inspiration, their collaborative dynamic, and essential insights for indie filmmakers working on set.
THE MATTACHINE FAMILY (Clip) – Frameline47
Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
No Film School: Congratulations on the film’s presence on the festival circuit. It’s a remarkable piece, and I hope it reaches a wide audience. What inspired this story, and how did it evolve into a feature-length project?
Andy Vallentine: Danny has always been a writer, while I’ve always directed. We’ve been married for nearly a decade, but our joint creative journey began about five years ago. In our industry experience, we realized that our most personal moments, like discussions about our future and parenthood, were prime material for a film. For our debut, we aimed to create something personal, exploring themes we were intimately familiar with.
Danny Vallentine: These discussions offered a profound way to reflect on our lives. Yet, I found a lack of films addressing the experiences of gay men as parents. This void led us to create a story drawn from our conversations and the journeys of those around us exploring fostering, adoption, and surrogacy. We integrated diverse queer family dynamics, illustrating a space for everyone rather than focusing on a single type.
Our friends’ experiences with fostering, adoption, sperm donation, and surrogacy naturally informed the narrative. While not a direct reflection of our lives, the film mirrors our questions about queer parenthood and the intersection of chosen family with new possibilities. Queer couples face distinct paths to parenthood, which we wanted to explore through Thomas’s journey, including his interactions with Annie [Funke] and Oscar’s fostering experiences.
NFS: The film has an intriguing narrative structure that includes traditional storytelling and unique voiceover sequences. Was this part of the initial writing process?
Danny Vallentine: We refer to them as narrated sequences, and they were always part of the plan. Once we decided Thomas would be a photographer, it naturally led to incorporating photography as a narrative device, helping to convey his thoughts and connections through images.
NFS: You collaborated with Sean Cook on the photography. How was that experience?
Danny Vallentine: Sean was my college roommate at Michigan State.
Andy Vallentine: Sean, a skilled wedding photographer, shot our wedding in Paris and those of my siblings. For the film, I wanted a unique perspective, distinct from my own and my cinematographer Julia Swain’s. Sean spent six days capturing images during production, which was logistically challenging but rewarding. His involvement added a personal touch to the project.
NFS: How long was the principal photography?
Andy Vallentine: We filmed for 20 days, with an additional pick-up day in New York for a montage with Nico. Indie films typically have tight schedules, and ours was no exception. Balancing grand ideas with practical constraints is a constant challenge, but we managed to capture the essence of what we envisioned.
NFS: What unexpected challenges did you face during production, and how did you overcome them?
Danny Vallentine: As a writer, transitioning from theoretical work to practical filmmaking was eye-opening. Letting go of certain script elements was hard but necessary for collaboration and ultimately improved the story.
Andy Vallentine: Logistically, we faced challenges like relocating scenes due to budget constraints, which required creative problem-solving. For instance, a planned mansion shoot was moved to a motel, demanding script adjustments and inventive filmmaking. The actors’ performances made these scenes compelling despite the limitations.
NFS: How do you support each other creatively through challenging moments?
Andy Vallentine: Our long relationship means we’re familiar with each other’s tendencies. We balance each other, with Danny providing calm when I face production challenges.
Danny Vallentine: Andy’s experience and pragmatic approach provide stability during crises, helping us navigate obstacles together.
NFS: What advice would you offer to aspiring filmmakers working with trusted partners?
Danny Vallentine: Find a story that resonates deeply with you. This passion will be evident and compelling to others, making it a story worth telling.
Andy Vallentine: Continuously create, regardless of scale. Relationships and perseverance are key, as the journey often involves years of dedication. Stay positive and collaborative, as these qualities significantly impact your creative environment.
NFS: Any final thoughts?
Andy Vallentine: Follow us on social media for updates on our film festival journey. We’re thrilled to participate in numerous festivals, with more announcements on the way.
