By Emily Laptad
Photos by Travis Young

When 12-year-old Sav Rodgers discovered the 1998 film Chasing Amy, it quickly became his life raft while growing up in Johnson County, Kansas. Not only did the film include LGBTQ+ representation young he desperately needed, but the queer characters were good, intelligent, funny, and out—something Rodgers had very little exposure to.

Fast forward to now, and Rodgers has just released his first documentary Chasing Chasing Amy, which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. The documentary not only examines Rodger’s relationship with the film but also Chasing Amy’s complex role in LGBTQ+ film culture—including criticism for how the film depicts a lesbian character falling in love with a man.

We chatted with Rodgers about the four-year process of making the documentary.

This documentary happened because of the comfort and community it brought to 12-year-old Sav Rodgers. Did you learn more about that younger you as you made Chasing Chasing Amy? How did this experience connect you to who you were as a 12-year-old kid to who you are now?

Over the years, I’ve reflected back on that period of my life and I’ve felt mixed feelings. Growing up is tough for everybody. This film helped me make peace with that hard period of my life in a lot of ways, though completely unintentionally. I have a lot more grace for my younger self and the people who made it harder because we’re all hopefully growing and growing up. All I hope is that they treat people kinder now, especially LGBTQ+ people.

How do you think that younger-you growing up in Olathe, Kansas, would react to Chasing Chasing Amy? Is there a message in the film you hope to send to LGBTQ+ youth who be experiencing a similar adolescence?

That kid would have figured out he was trans much sooner. It probably would have changed my life way more than Chasing Amy did. LGBTQ+ youth are dealing with some of the worst things right now: heinous anti-LGBTQ+ legislation meant to specifically attack trans kids, gun violence, rising fascism all around them, an environmental crisis that’s only gotten worse since I was a kid, and a lot more. It’s not easy to be hopeful for the future. And so I hope that if they do end up watching Chasing Chasing Amy, it provides some comfort that they can grow up and be themselves, and they can find a path forward, and they are deserving of love and kindness and community. Because they deserve the future of their dreams.

During the process of filming Chasing Chasing Amy, you came out as transgender. How did the documentary impact that decision and how did your story in coming out impact the film?

You know, I didn’t really feel safe to come out as trans before making Chasing Chasing Amy. I didn’t see a lot of guys like me working. It wasn’t until I met trans people who were thriving working in entertainment or even to just find community with other trans people interested in the same things as me. Those interactions allowed me to start really considering a future where I could become myself with the support of Riley and my parents. I don’t want to spoil the movie, but my rapport with Kevin also brought a lot of comforts that really helped me feel like I could be myself publicly.

What was it like having intimate conversations about Chasing Amy with some of the people who made and inspired the film—and not only that but also doing a deep dive into some of the controversy surrounding the film? What was the most memorable moment from those interactions?

Chasing Chasing Amy was quite literally a dream to connect with the people part of the movie that saved my life. I learned a lot about the movie, myself, and the real lives of the incredible artists who made Chasing Amy. It was an honor, and I’m so grateful for everyone who shared their time and truths. It’s really hard to pin down just one moment that feels memorable because it was such a whirlwind of talking to brilliant people. I guess the biggest highlight for me at the time of making it was after the joint Kevin and Joey interview. It felt like a pinnacle moment even to make it happen.

How has your relationship with Chasing Chasing Amy changed since you first started filming your documentary to now?

I don’t want to give too much away, but Chasing Chasing Amy does showcase that changing relationship up close. The documentary starts in a place where my experience with Chasing Amy has become a major part of my identity. A lot has changed in the last four and a half since we started the journey.

A big part of the message in Chasing Chasing Amy is how important LGBTQ+ representation is in filmmaking and art. As you wrap up this project, I have a feeling you aren’t done with that message. What’s next and what’s primarily fueling that goal to expand LGBTQ+ representation in media?

The thing I’m most immediately looking forward to is getting to connect with the folks who come out to see Chasing Chasing Amy. After spending so long working on it, I’m happy to spend time talking to people about what the film means to them, or what their Chasing Amy is. Beyond that, I’m stoked to make something new that still shares my specific POV. Hopefully, it’s something surprising, fun, and people dig it. That’s all I can really hope for.

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