It started with a 2018 TED talk titled “The rom-com that saved my life.” Or maybe it started further back, when filmmaker Sav Rodgers was twelve years-old, a queer child in Kansas, and discovered Kevin Smith’s controversial, truthful, sweet, problematic, and life-changing 1997 film, Chasing Amy. Rodgers’ documentary Chasing Chasing Amy seeks “to pay tribute” to the movie, but also to ask questions like “Why do LGBTQ people not like this movie?” and the more complicated “What makes good representation?”
Through interviews with crew and cast members, including Kevin Smith (whose relationship with Rodgers develops into that of a mentor and friend), Go Fish screenwriter and actor Guinevere Turner, and Joey Lauren Adams (the Golden Globe-nominated star of Chasing Amy), Chasing Chasing Amy not only critically reflects on Chasing Amy and its cultural moment in American independent film, but also captures a pivotal time in Rodgers’ own life.
Shortly after Rodgers’ first viewing of Chasing Amy – a comedy “about a guy who falls in love with a lesbian, finds out she’s had heterosexual relationships and can’t deal with that” - he began to experience homophobic bullying at school. “The spirit of Chasing Amy kept me alive for years to come,” he confessed to the TED audience. And yet, the film faced equal parts scrutiny and praise in 1997, a paradox that continues today. Casting director Shana Lory quips, “I find it to be authentic to the ‘straight white dude who happens to fall for a queer woman’ community.” (A sentiment reinforced by a clever montage of presumably straight white men praising the film outside a screening of the new Jay and Silent Bob movie.)
As Rodgers notes, “I didn’t know there were other gay movies.” And there were! Chasing Chasing Amy mentions independent, queer cinema classics from the 1990s like The Watermelon Woman, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love, and Nowhere in passing. While Chasing Amy did explore gender identity, fluidity, and biphobia, it also proved problematic. “A straight man tells a lesbian story and NOW everyone’s paying attention,” Guinevere Turner points out, who has a unique connection to the film: she’s one of the film’s two inspirations for the lead character, Alyssa Jones.
Producer Scott Mosier and Turner agree that they had a “romantic friendship” prior to Chasing Amy, despite Turner identifying as a lesbian. (Turner’s Go Fish, directed by Rose Troche, was considered a “sibling” to Smith’s Clerks – black and white and dialogue-heavy.) With Chasing Amy, Smith fictionalized his contemporaries’ relationship while also incorporating his own insecurities and conflicts in his romantic partnership with Joey Lauren Adams. (“[Chasing Amy] is an apology,” Kevin says.) It turns out, both women have mixed feelings about their connection to the movie. Turner laments that Smith got “all the opportunities” because of a movie partly inspired by her life, but she also acknowledges the film as “heartfelt” and “true.”
Adams is especially unflinching and revelatory in her one-on-one interview with Rodgers, revealing her complicated feelings towards the movie, her relationship with Kevin and Hollywood (and the lecherous Harvey Weinstein), and the direction of Rodgers’ documentary. The conversation gently shifts Rodgers’ perspective about the movie, his documentary, and himself.
Interspaced throughout these interviews and visits to Chasing Amy shooting locations, we meet Sav’s girlfriend, Riley. The duo met online as teenagers almost a decade prior, when their feelings matured from a friendship to a long distance relationship. “[Chasing Amy’s] a road map of how to not fuck up your relationship,” Sav notes and, based on the longevity of his relationship with Riley, the map seems to have not led him astray. The one constant in Rodgers’ film is his love for Riley.
Chasing Chasing Amy is an admirable documentary about the film that served as Rodgers’ lifeline for so many years—its legacy, ambiguities, and controversies—and his shifting relationship to it and his own gender identity. The documentary mimics its namesake’s strengths and flaws: it spends a large chunk of time on the relationship between Kevin Smith and Joey Lauren Adams and less time on the wider context of LGBTQ and independent cinema in the ‘90s (more Guinevere Turner is never a bad thing!), but it also undeniably works for the same reasons as Chasing Amy: it’s earnest and vulnerable. Chasing Chasing Amy is Sav’s truth and his love, captured in a film.
How can Chasing Chasing Amy be integrated into public libraries’ collection development?
Chasing Chasing Amy is an essential addition to public library collections focusing on LGBTQ+ history, independent filmmaking, and cultural analysis. Its exploration of identity, representation, and the legacy of queer narratives in media aligns with libraries’ missions to offer diverse and inclusive resources. The documentary can also support programming on Pride Month, queer storytelling, or the history of independent cinema.
What college courses and majors could benefit from using Chasing Chasing Amy?
Chasing Chasing Amy is particularly relevant for college courses in Queer Studies, Media Representation, Documentary Filmmaking, and Cultural Criticism. It offers students the opportunity to examine the intersection of personal identity and media, the impact of LGBTQ+ representation on audiences, and the evolution of queer storytelling. Film History and Gender Studies programs can use the documentary to foster discussions on how independent cinema has influenced broader cultural narratives.
How could Parks and Recreation programs use Chasing Chasing Amy in their educational initiatives?
Parks and Recreation departments can incorporate Chasing Chasing Amy into community programs that celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and storytelling. The documentary could serve as a centerpiece for events like film nights, LGBTQ+ awareness workshops, or discussions on the impact of media representation. By highlighting themes of identity and acceptance, the film can spark meaningful conversations in community settings.
What are the Public Performance Rights (PPR) considerations for screening Chasing Chasing Amy?
Public screenings of Chasing Chasing Amy require Public Performance Rights (PPR), which are often included with institutional purchases or available through a licensing fee. These rights ensure compliance with copyright laws and allow schools, libraries, and community groups to host screenings as part of educational or public events. Acquiring PPR ensures that the film can be used to engage diverse audiences in a legal and impactful way.
How could Chasing Chasing Amy enhance special events on college campuses?
Chasing Chasing Amy would be a dynamic addition to events focused on LGBTQ+ history, independent film, or the art of documentary storytelling. College campuses can screen the film as part of Pride Week, film festivals, or interdisciplinary seminars. Post-screening discussions or Q&A sessions with filmmakers, queer activists, or media scholars could enrich the viewing experience and foster engagement among students and faculty.
Why is Chasing Chasing Amy a strong candidate for movie licensing?
The film’s exploration of personal identity, queer representation, and the cultural impact of Chasing Amy makes it highly valuable for educational and community settings. Its layered storytelling and historical context ensure broad appeal, from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups to academic institutions and public libraries. Licensing Chasing Chasing Amy allows organizations to provide a thought-provoking resource for audiences seeking insight into the evolution of queer narratives in media.