FBF: Author: The JT Leroy Story (15)

Dir. Jeff Feuerzeig | 2016 | Film: 111 mins, plus Podcast Recording | English

Join us for a screening and podcast recording to celebrate "the greatest literary hoax of all time". 

In the early 2000s, JT Leroy was the enfant terrible of the literary world: renowned for his semi-autobiographical novels and his extraordinary life as a truck-stop prostitute who had escaped West Virginia, via homelessness and drug addiction, to the heady heights of literary stardom. But in 2005 an investigative journalist blew the lid on the story: LeRoy was the fictional creation of writer Laura Albert, and his public appearances in wig and sunglasses were made by an actor.

This is an Alice in Wonderland story of literary hype, rock shows, fashion events, and the Cannes red carpet. And layer upon layer of deceit. But while Albert's performance still infuriates many, channelling her fiction through another identity was the only possible path to self-expression.

This screening will feature an introduction and post-film discussion hosted by Prof Neil Fox as part of his award-winning 'Cinematologists' podcast with Dario Llinares. Described as “one of the finest film podcasts around” by Sight and Sound, over the past decade they have developed partnerships with BFI, MUBI and others. 

Neil will be joined by Falmouth Book Festival Director Colin Midson, who was an unwitting participant in the story when, a publicist at Bloomsbury in the early 2000s, he represented JT Leroy before his true identity was revealed.

Event duration: 2hrs 45mins 

This event is part of Falmouth Book Festival running from 13-20 October. For more info visit the website www.falmouthbookfestival.com

Tickets: £8/£6

A £1 Poly Fund payment is added to each ticket sold