The Eyes of Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato
by Steve Pride
If there was ever any doubt that there is a gay sensibility, one has to look no
further than The Eyes of Tammy
Faye, a documentary that is hands down the gayest straight film since
Valley of the Dolls. So it should come as little surprise that it was
produced and directed by award-winning documentary filmmakers Fenton Bailey and
Randy Barbato. directors of Party Monster, The Real Ellen Story, and
creators of The RuPaul Show. Recently I caught up with the dynamic duo in
their cramped World Of Wonder production office for a chat about their
affectionate, compassionate, and camp salute to Tammy Faye Bakker Messner.
PlanetOut: The Eyes of Tammy Faye is ...
Fenton Bailey: ... an affectionate look at one of life's greatest
survivors.
Randy Barbato: ... a film about one of the world's most hated and reviled
women.
Fenton: It's both!
PlanetOut: But why do a documentary about Tammy Faye Bakker Messner?
Randy: Personally we have always been obsessed with Tammy Faye because
she is so fabulous and she has constructed this incredible public image
that is particularly appealing to gay people. The lashes, the hair, the
clothes, the drama, and of course, the warmth. And there is something
else about her that is attractive -- she is a walking contradiction.
She's very spiritual, yet materialistic. She is naive and yet knowing.
All these things come together and create this vulnerable package that
is, at least for us, mesmerizing.
Fenton: In the public eye she is a cartoon character and therefore
wouldn't seem substantial enough to merit the attention of a
documentary. But she is actually a very complicated person. Even though
there has been a lot of media coverage about Tammy Faye most of it has
been all the same, just cheap laughs about her appearance. That led us
to believe there was an untold story and that she was perhaps more
worthy of a documentary than someone like, say, Madonna. There's far
more to Tammy Faye than someone like that.
Randy: As filmmakers and as people we have always been interested in
people who are marginalized, misunderstood, and who are slightly outside
the mainstream. Plus, as gay filmmakers, we appreciate her because she
has always done what she wanted to do. She is different and she doesn't
let anybody keep her from being different. I think most gays and
lesbians can relate to that strength. There is a point in the life of
every gay person when you realize that you don't fit in and you have to
make a choice. Tammy clearly made her choice and I totally dig that.
PlanetOut: There's a great synergy in having RuPaul narrate the film.
Fenton: I'm so glad you say that, because a lot of people say, "Why
RuPaul?" And of course it's because they are so similar. They have both
been judged for their appearance and neither are afraid of what they
look like. Both Tammy and Ru are both very spiritual and don't believe
in judging people. They both are coloring with all the crayons in the
box. And lets face it, Tammy is a drag queen in so many ways. As is Ru. ...
Randy: As are we all!
PlanetOut: Before seeing the documentary I had forgotten that Tammy once had a
talk show with JM J. Bullock.
Randy: JM J. and Tammy Faye! That was a great show. It should still be
on the air. As should the PTL Club, in fact.
Fenton: I think the producers of the show were worried about Tammy's
"Tammyness." That was its downfall. Tammy simply has to be Tammy or
there is no point.
PlanetOut: Did Tammy have any concerns about allowing you guys access to
her life?
Fenton: She didn't want to do the film at first. It took a long time to
persuade her. Because she couldn't have any control and had been burned
so badly in the past.
Randy: And we didn't know when we started where the story would lead.
We came up with the title first and went into this with very few
preconceptions. We only promised to be fair. When she finally did agree
she looked us in the eye and said, "I am putting my faith in you." And
there was a sort of chill that ran through me and I thought, I hope the
story we find is a good one because ...
Fenton: ... it would be most unfortunate if it's a bad one.
PlanetOut: What does Tammy think of the finished film?
Fenton: We put off sending it to her until a week before its first
screening at Sundance. She put off watching it until the night before
Sundance. She said she cried all the way through. Then she showed it to
her son and he cried until he threw up. Which means ...
Randy: ... they really liked the film. Tammy is not someone who normally
looks back, so I think it was a cathartic experience.
PlanetOut: How have audiences responded to the film?
Randy: We have been blown away by the way people have embraced this
movie. You know, in the eighties, nineties and even to this day, Tammy
has been an easy target at which to throw stones.
Fenton: Stoning! How biblical, dear.
Randy: All sorts of people were picking up rocks back then and I think
when people come to see the film, they have a few rocks ready. They
think it's going to be another easy laugh at the Clown Girl.
Fenton: And it sort of starts out that way, too. But when people
realize she's a real person they have to look at the rock in their hand
and examine themselves a little bit.
Randy: There was an amazing moment after one screening when this hip,
young pierced guy came up to Tammy and apologized. He said, "I'm sorry. I'm
filled with shame." And it was a powerful moment. Seeing The Eyes of Tammy
Faye is not that extreme for everyone, but I think many people are forced to
at least think about the ways in which they judge people.
Fenton: To quote RuPaul ...
Randy: "Everybody say love."
* Read the PopcornQ review of The Eyes of Tammy Faye!
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