- Welcome to POV .
I'm Pete Schwaba, host of PBS Wisconsin's Director's Cut .
In tonight's film, we witness a unique display of bravery
and watch the work of a filmmaker
who was inspired in his own life
by his subject on screen in the film Things we Dare Not Do.
A few years ago
while visiting a small coastal village in Mexico,
director Bruno Santamaria
stumbled upon a charismatic teenager,
laughing and teaching young children from the village
how to dance.
Santamaria was so enthralled with the teenager, named Nono,
that he made him the subject of his next film
after learning that Nono had many layers to him.
Behind his effervescent exterior,
he was struggling with his gender identity
and would sneak away to dress as a woman
where he felt most comfortable.
Things We Dare Not Do took five years to film,
and they were eventful, life altering years,
especially for Santamaria
who was struggling with his own sexuality
all throughout filming and most of his adult life.
Santamaria became so inspired by his lead actor
that he made the decision to finally come out to his parents.
For Bruno Santamaria,
it was a moment of truth that could not be denied
as he didn't want them to learn he was gay
while reading interviews about his film.
Bruno Santamaria said in a recent interview
that it made perfect sense to him why he was so drawn to Nono,
he saw a different, less reticent version of himself.
A great documentary can inspire someone to change their life.
In this case, it did so for the film's director.
Things We Dare Not Do starts now on PBS Wisconsin,
your home for independent film.