We were thrilled to have film director Lukah Rosenberg-Lee, musicologist Rob Bowman and trans activist Susan Gapka join us at the Revue Cinema for a discussion after the screening of Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story. The documentary, an NFB and Banger Films co-production, told the story of the trans black singer who became a popular attraction at clubs in Toronto during the 1960s and early ’70s. The film was a moving portrayal of Jackie; the panel added more to the story.
Jackie Shane was a transgender soul singer when voices like hers were silenced and marginalized. Yet, she was a hit in Toronto nightclubs in the 1960s, and her recording of the song “Any Other Way” hit No. 2 on the Chum Charts in 1963. Then, in 1971 she mysteriously vanished, disappearing from public view for 40 years.
Despite few recordings of her legendary performances, this film brings Jackie to life in her own words through never-before-heard phone conversations, animation and a newly released song, part of a soundtrack that seals Jackie’s place as one of the great soul performers of the 20th century.
Her extraordinary life and career was marked by family secrets, loss and love. She passed up opportunities for world-wide stardom, refusing to appear on Ed Sullivan or American Bandstand because those shows demanded her to sacrifice her values and deny her authentic self.
When Jackie was finally ready for a comeback, fate had other plans.
Through this documentary, she finally gets her second act. As Jackie said: “Oh, Honey! When it comes to Jackie, look out!”
Watch the trailer.
Our Guest Speakers:
Lucah Rosenberg-Lee: One of the film’s two directors, he is a Toronto-based independent filmmaker, speaker and entrepreneur. Lucah was adopted from the Dominican Republic into a Toronto family, where he developed his love of activism through film and his passion to tell stories of marginalized voices. Lucah has produced and directed a variety of film projects, including Passing and For Nonna Anna, that have been screened at TIFF, Inside Out and Sundance. He specializes in both documentary and LGBTQ+ content, bringing unique stories to life, including his own.
Susan Gapka: A founding member and chair of the Toronto Trans Coalition Project, she helped lead the Ontario campaign to fund transition related surgeries, helped change the Vital Statistics Act so trans people’s legal documents more accurately reflect their lived identity and successfully campaigned to adopt legislation to amend the Ontario Human Rights Code and Canadian Human Rights Act. She is also deeply involved in other social justice issues including homelessness, mental health and harm reduction.
Rob Bowman: Rob knew Jackie Shane and spent hours on the phone with her, recording conversations that would become an important part of this documentary. He is a musicologist, Grammy winner, professor of music at York and has been writing about music for decades. His book Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2013. He lives in the Roncesvalles-High Park neighbourhood!!
