Culture Cabinet

The Mattachine Family, the directorial debut of filmmaker Andy Vallantine, is now available to watch on streaming platforms. 

The film, which is written by Vallentine’s husband, Danny Vallentine, tells the story of couple Thomas (Nico Nortorella) and Oscar (Juan Pablo Di Pace), as they find themselves on the aftermath of family dynamic shifts, when their foster son returns to his birth mother. Eager to commit to fatherhood, Thomas seeks new opportunities to welcome another child, while Oscar has a harder time coping with the loss and feels more reluctant to the idea. What ensues is a journey of self discovery, reflections on friendship, and realizations that family extends beyond the bonds of blood. The film features standout performances from the principal cast of Nortorella and Di Pace, as well as the supporting cast, including Emily Hampshire and Heather Matarazzo. 

While the film marks Andy Vallentine’s feature film directorial debut, it also marks his first time collaborating with his husband, Danny, on a story that strikes a personal chord. 

“When [Danny and I]  were trying to figure out what indie film we wanted to make, a lot of people told us to tell the story that you’re an expert in,” Andy says in an interview with Culture Cabinet. “And so we like looked through our relationship. We were like, ‘Okay, well, there was some drama about whether or not we wanted to become parents.’ Danny very much wanted to be a dad, and I leaned on the other side, was like, ‘I don’t know, if I really want to, at least I don’t want to until I make a movie.’ And so we decided to make a film about a journey of a gay couple and their journey to parenthood.”

While the film’s release feels all the more apt in celebration of Pride Month, the story feels needed for modern times. In a time where parenthood and the rights around choosing parenthood are becoming all the more debated and threatened, The Mattachine Family is a heartfelt reminder of the emotional journey of parenthood, and how families can be created beyond mere genetic relation. 

Furthermore, The Mattachine Family brings a refreshing take on an LGBT+ story. 

“While coming out stories and accepting identity is still very important to the community, we get six of those a year. And so it was nice that with our story, we were able to expand on a different aspects of the community, and what they go through,” Andy explains. “We’ve had representation in the past about gay parenting, with like, Modern Family, and that sort of thing, but we didn’t really have that needy drama, those ups and downs of life.” 

“We were able to pull on our own experiences. Danny and I are parents. When we filmed the movie, we weren’t parents, but a month later, our daughter was born. And so, I had that very interesting kind of experience where I identified a lot with Thomas’s role throughout the movie of wanting to be a parent, and in the possibility of a parent, being a parent in the future. And then as I was editing this movie, I was a parent. So I experienced that side of it. It was very interesting.” 

Perhaps it’s the personal touch from the director and screenwriter that are interwoven throughout the film that give it a sense of relatable humanity, but ultimately, The Mattachine Family is sure to strike a chord with a wide array of audiences, as many can relate to the questions that are raised when parenthood is in the abstract. And beyond parenthood, the themes of chosen family are universally relatable. 

“The story very much talks about the concept of the chosen family, and how the people you decide to spend your life with, beyond you know, blood is so important,” star Juan Pablo Di Pace explains. “And, of course, the idea of parenting and how it’s not black and white. [The idea to] have the choice is something radical and we should celebrate it. So in a way, I think this film celebrates that that that freedom to choose to be a parent.” 

With its stand out performances, heartwarming story, and timely message, The Mattachine Family is worth the watch.