Genre
Synopsis
What’s in a Name, follows the stories of three women, Tania Cordova, Eisha Love, and Reyna Ortiz as they challenge an Illinois law that prohibits people with felony convictions, like themselves, from legally changing their names. They are part of a lawsuit against the state to remove the restrictions and key activists in the effort to pass HB2542, a state bill that would strike down the same law. As trans women they have more at stake than the freedom of self-expression: a male name on their government ID exposes the women as trans and opens them up to harassment and danger; after showing their ID cards they have been denied services, housing, and employment. We began production in May of 2021 and have followed them throughout the progression of legislative efforts. It was an incredible victory to witness the joy and relief when HB2542 was passed on January 10, 2023.
Bio
Cary Cronenwett (Director) directs and produces films that foreground forgotten histories and marginalized stories with an emphasis on inclusivity and process. In 2018 he directed a short, Chicago Love, that was part of the web series, ACLU: Trans in America. This project has evolved into a feature-length documentary, What’s in a Name, that is currently in post-production. He holds an MFA from California Institute of the Arts and a BA from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Originally from Oklahoma, he is currently based in Los Angeles.
Credits
Post Supervisor - Kerry Michelle O'Brien
Cinematographer - Margaret Byrne
Cinematographer - Shuling Yong
