The Toothmans

Director: Hansen Bursic
Release Year: 2018

In the small, rural town of McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, a seemingly typical family navigates the life-altering experience of their daughter coming out as transgender. Hansen Bursic, a young and ambitious film student, directed The Toothmans, an 8-minute documentary that explores the lives of Deb and Jim Toothman and their 17-year-old transgender daughter, Cooper. This powerful film offers an intimate portrait of a family’s journey through acceptance, love, and the challenges of living in a rural, conservative area. Bursic, a sophomore film student at Temple University with a focus on directing, was working in his position at the university’s Strategic Marketing and Communications team when he received life-changing news: The Toothmans had been accepted into the prestigious Frameline42 festival, the world’s oldest and largest LGBTQ film festival, based in San Francisco. In an emotional moment, Bursic recalled, “My boss just saw me completely break down. I never expected something like this to ever happen, let alone [so young].”

 

At the heart of The Toothmans is the story of Cooper Toothman, a transgender teenager, and her family’s evolution as they come to terms with her gender identity. In the film, Cooper recounts her early awareness of being different, describing how she knew something wasn’t quite right because of the clothes she wore and the toys she preferred. Eventually, Cooper’s parents - Deb and Jim - embraced her transgender identity and supported her transition before she finished high school, defying the conventional stereotypes often attached to rural, conservative communities. Bursic noted that Jim Toothman, a self-identified rural man, serves as a compelling counterexample to the typical assumptions about people from small towns. “You look at somebody like that and you’re often like, ‘Oh, they’re homophobic and transphobic,’” Bursic explained. “He kind of breaks down that stereotype, which I think is really exciting.” The film highlights the unwavering love and support Jim and Deb show for their daughter, illustrating that familial bonds can transcend prejudice and fear. However, The Toothmans does not shy away from the painful realities Cooper faces.

 

One of the key themes of the film is the discrimination Cooper endures at school after her transition. At one point, Cooper was forced to use a single-user bathroom, isolating her and marking her as different in the eyes of her peers. Bursic described how this policy exacerbated Cooper’s sense of isolation, with other students banging on the bathroom door and drawing attention to her presence. The situation worsened when Cooper decided to use the women’s bathroom after school let out, resulting in her suspension. This experience underscores the broader social challenges faced by transgender youth in educational environments and serves as a poignant moment in the documentary. Through its lens, The Toothmans underscores the importance of family and support for transgender youth. Bursic explained that the film answers a critical question: "What would I do? I’d love them because they’re my kid." In doing so, the documentary highlights the transformative power of unconditional love and the importance of allyship, especially within families. One of the most touching moments in the film is the depiction of Cooper and her father, Jim, sharing a heartfelt embrace at a local sports event. This intimate scene speaks volumes about the bond between parent and child, as well as the emotional resilience required to navigate the complexities of transgender identity in a rural setting. 

 

The film’s acceptance into Frameline42 was a significant milestone for Bursic and the Toothman family. The festival, held from June 14 to June 24, presented The Toothmans as part of the "Coming Up Queer – Shorts Program," alongside five other films. Bursic was joined at the festival by Cooper, Jim, and Deb, and the film’s screening was followed by a Q&A session at the Victoria Theatre. Cooper’s presence on stage prompted an emotional response from the audience, with many attendees expressing pride in her courage and commending her for sharing her story. "I was so happy I brought her because so many people asked her questions… and said how proud they were of her and how amazing her story was,” Bursic recalled. In addition to Frameline42, The Toothmans was showcased at several other film festivals across Pennsylvania, where it garnered widespread praise. The documentary earned the "Audience Favorite Award" at the Pittsburgh Underground Film Festival and the "Best Documentary Award" at the Lancaster International Short Film Festival. These accolades further affirmed the resonance of the film's message with audiences and its significance in the broader conversation about transgender rights and visibility. 

 

Bursic credits much of his success to the mentorship and guidance he received throughout the filmmaking process. His professor and mentor, Catherine Pancake, played a pivotal role in shaping the film. Bursic revealed that if it weren’t for Pancake’s encouragement, he might never have submitted the film to a festival like Frameline42. "If it wasn’t for [Pancake], I would have never even submitted to a festival like that," Bursic said. Pancake, an experienced filmmaker and advocate for social change, praised Bursic's work, stating, "I think he’s going to be somebody who is going to go far. We’re really excited as a department to support him." Pancake also emphasized the importance of The Toothmans in bringing attention to the stories of transgender youth in rural communities, noting that many voices from LGBTQ+ individuals in these areas often go unheard. "There are tons and tons of queer, trans, and gay youth all over rural America, particularly Pennsylvania and West Virginia," Pancake said. "Those voices aren’t heard." Through The Toothmans, Bursic has provided a platform for these marginalized voices, helping to elevate the conversation around LGBTQ+ youth in conservative regions. 

 

The Toothmans is part of a broader documentary series focusing on the experiences of transgender youth in rural Pennsylvania. The series was a collaborative effort between Bursic and Jason Landau Goodman, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress (PYC), a statewide LGBTQ youth advocacy organization. Goodman became involved with the Toothman family after they reached out to PYC for support. He later invited them to participate in the documentary series, believing that telling these stories would spark important conversations about improving the circumstances of LGBTQ+ individuals in rural areas. "Once we can show what our [LGBTQ] experiences are like, we can have conversations about how to improve each other’s circumstances," Goodman stated. This belief underscores the transformative power of documentary filmmaking in fostering empathy and understanding across communities. 

 

Ultimately, The Toothmans is a story of love, acceptance, and the enduring strength of family. The film’s portrayal of Cooper’s journey as a transgender teenager and her parents' commitment to supporting her speaks to the heart of what it means to be a parent and ally in today’s world. It also shines a light on the challenges faced by transgender youth in rural areas and the power of storytelling to amplify marginalized voices. For Hansen Bursic, The Toothmans represents a defining moment in his burgeoning filmmaking career. The film not only garnered recognition from prestigious film festivals but also contributed to an ongoing dialogue about the importance of support systems for transgender youth, particularly those living in areas where LGBTQ+ issues are often overlooked or stigmatized. Through his work, Bursic has demonstrated the ability of documentary films to capture the complexity of human experience and spark meaningful conversations about social change.

 

via: Vimeo

 temple-news.com and themoviedb.org

Image credits: Vimeo