Director Devin Fei-Fan Tau takes audiences to new heights in his latest documentary feature film Who's On Top? that follows four LGBTQ climbers and their journey to the summit of Mt. Hood. Tau is a gay Taiwanese-American filmmaker with experience directing and producing 10 short narratives and documentaries. He also runs the successful creative agency and production company No Sunrise Wasted. Video Librarian sat down with Tau to discuss the impact of his film on the LGBTQ athletic community.
VL: What was the process like working with George Takei?
D: The prospect of working with my childhood hero was daunting because I didn’t know if he would turn out to be anything like I had imagined, and I wasn’t sure how I would be perceived by him. But George was kind, gracious, and very genuine. He made me feel seen and heard, and I appreciated his professionalism and warmth. It was a complete thrill to see him in action.
VL: What was your relationship like working LGBTQ community of mountain climbers?
D: It isn’t always easy to break into tight-knit groups like the mountain climbing community. But queer folk have a way of breaking down barriers and bringing an added dimension to whatever we encounter, and climbing is no different. Building trust and friendship required a commitment to being open and direct, as we spent time pushing against our physical and mental boundaries on this journey.
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Devin Fei-Fan Tau
VL: Did you have any experience with climbing? How did you physically and mentally prepare?
D: I was incredibly excited to create a film whose backdrop was Mount Hood, where I have skied for much of my adult life. And as an avid tennis player, I’m used to the emotional factors that affect physical performance. But learning to climb was a challenge like no other because it requires a combination of physical stamina and mental concentration. The challenge of preparing for the climb was made easier, however, because of the cast and crew who were so dedicated to making this project a success. I knew I wasn’t going to let them down and that helped me remain motivated.
VL: Who’s on Top? had the honor of playing at the Tampa Bay Int'l Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. What was it like seeing your film screened at major film festivals?
D: There’s so much work that goes on behind the scenes when directing a film that it can sometimes be hard to imagine what the audience is going to see when the project is finished. With Who’s on Top? I was incredibly gratified to have it play at Tampa Bay and in five other festivals and receive feedback about the film’s impact and reach. If I have touched even a few hearts and minds with this film about overcoming challenges, then I feel grateful and satisfied.
VL: What challenges do you face as an LGBTQ filmmaker and how can this film expand and open the minds of audiences?
D: Filmmaking in the United States has long been the domain of privileged white males, where challenges to the status quo have been constantly resisted. This holds for everything from casting, directing and filming, to financing, distribution, and promotion. As a member of the LGBTQ community, I find success comes from bolstering my artistic vision with a strong sense of purpose. As a gay Asian-American immigrant, I learned long ago to advocate for myself and my group and not take “no” for an answer. That being said, I have found amazing allies at every stage of my career and I’m really enjoying being part of a new generation of queer filmmakers who are looking for commercial and artistic success.
VL: Out of all the climbers you documented, who was the one person you were able to connect with most?
D: Asking me which climber I connected with best is like asking a parent which child is their favorite! I learned so much from everyone in the cast. With Shanita I shared a sense of the strength it takes to overcome vulnerability. Stacey constantly brought me back to the purpose of the film with her smile and quiet confidence. Taylor’s intensity and desire for achievement reminded me so much of my own personal and professional trajectory. And Ryan and I had a common sense of what it was like to overcome the bullying and stereotyping that gay kids face in our society. This film was an opportunity to go beneath the surface with everyone involved and connect on an intensely personal level.
VL: What should audiences take away after watching Who’s on Top?
D: On the one hand, Who’s on Top? explicitly celebrates LGBTQ folk who face head-on the physical and psychological challenge of climbing Mount Hood. Queer people are often seen as “less than” and somehow “unnatural” and therefore have historically been left out of films about the physical world. On the other hand, this is a story that speaks to every person who has ever found themselves wanting to do something that they weren’t sure they could accomplish or were told they couldn’t because of who they were. This film is inspiring audiences to take a look in the mirror and say “Yes, I can!”, no matter who they are or what their circumstances.
VL: Why should this documentary be added to audiences’ collections, particularly for libraries and schools?
D Who’s on Top? is a great candidate for collections at schools and libraries first and foremost because it is an entertaining and highly relatable film. The fact that it celebrates LGBTQ achievement means that Who’s on Top? also serves as a reminder that the human spirit can triumph in adversity and achieve new heights regardless of where we come from and how we are perceived.