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Go behind-the-scenes of the “Promises of the Revolution” film series with filmmaker Wes DeShano

  • BY
  • MassHumanities
  • Date
  • June 18, 2026
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B-sides. Outtakes. Deleted scenes. I’ve always loved learning more about how some of my favorite films and TV shows were made. So, earlier this year when I learned that I would be directing two films for our “Promises of the Revolution” series with GBH, I decided to follow in the footsteps of my favorite auteurs and document my behind-the-scenes experience. 

Vicky Su, a senior at Boston Latin School, was the first person I interviewed for “Making Headlines,” a film about a group of young people who created a zine with essays critiquing the Declaration of Independence. Vicky is a student in the “Teens in Print” program at WordPowered, a nonprofit based in Jamaica Plain. After learning about her essay (which examines American imperialism and the Vietnam War) we walked around Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood, where Vicky showed me where she volunteers to prevent gentrification in the area. I was so impressed by Vicky’s passion for writing and civic engagement. Listening to her reflect on her writing process gave me renewed hope for future generations interested in using language to speak truth to power.

 

This is one of my favorite images from “Making Headlines.” Alena Tran, an alumna of the Teens in Print program, sits back-to-back with a statue of Phyllis Wheatley at the Boston Women’s Memorial. During her interview Alena told me that she was inspired to reflect on women’s rights and how, despite centuries of perceived progress, it still feels like we’re moving backwards with respect to women’s rights. Given the topic of her essay, it seemed to me that filming some B-roll at the Boston Women’s Memorial would be very powerful. When I was setting up the shot above, I was trying to convey that Alena is carrying forth the legacy of writing that Phyllis Wheatley helped cultivate in the 18th century. It’s almost like the two women are traversing history to bounce ideas off one another.
John Garcia is a historian at the American Antiquarian Society. He is an expert in the history of the book, early American literature, and print culture. I wanted to interview John for the “Making Headlines” film because I knew someone like him could help viewers see the broader historical context that young people like Vicky and Alena are working within. One of his comments that stuck with me was that more often than not, people who make zines aren’t really interested in making money off of their publications—they’re more interested in getting their ideas out into the world and taking a critical stance toward issues important to them. In that sense, the Teens in Print group is in the same conversation as the Black Panthers, who published zines and pamphlets, the punk rock scene of the 1970s, and counterculture groups like Riot Grrrl. Seen here in these photos are a handful of original historical documents from the archives at AAS.

 

In addition to directing “Making Headlines,” I also directed “Here to Stay,” a film about Queer History Boston. Shown here is a glimpse into the QHB archive, which is located on Boylston Street in downtown Boston. Joan Illacqua, QHB’s executive director, spent an early Saturday morning telling me about QHB’s ambitious plan to create a six-episode podcast that traces LGBTQ+ revolutionaries, beginning in the Revolutionary era and ending around the time of the first Boston Pride. Joan and her staff really impressed upon me the significance of creating community archives where people can see themselves in history. The boxes you see lining the walls are filled with back issues of Gay Community News, ephemera from LGBTQ+ marches and activism, as well as countless photographs documenting queer history throughout Massachusetts. I highly recommend browsing their digital collections online, and even making an appointment to view the archives yourself if you’re interested in learning more about the people who helped define LGBTQ+ life in the commonwealth.

 

In February 2025, the Trump administration ordered the National Park Service to remove all references to trans identity (the “T” in LGBTQ+) from its website and educational materials. As you can imagine, the impact on LGBTQ+ communities was immeasurable. Theo Linger, who is on the board of Queer History Boston, was personally affected by this attempt at erasure. In this frame, Theo holds the hat that they wore while working as a park ranger in Boston from 2017-2021. They explained to me that, rather than compromise their identity as a trans person, they decided to remove articles they had written about LGBTQ+ history in the city, rather than censor the language of their work. As Theo told me, “people only use the initialism “LGB” when they are specifically being transphobic.” My hope is that, after watching the film, viewers will understand how QHB’s podcast is doing the exact opposite—highlighting the long history of people transgressing gender norms in the United States.

 

The final video shoot of “Here to Stay” took place in Joan Illacqua’s home. Joan interviewed JL Bell, a Revolutionary War historian who runs the influential blog Boston1775, for episode 1 of the QHB podcast. Together they unpacked interesting stories and examples of gender in the Revolutionary Era. I was particularly focused on their conversation about Deborah Sampson, who you might know as the first woman in the United States to receive a military pension. Sampson, who lived in Sharon, Massachusetts, is also considered a feminist icon because she cross-dressed in order to enlist in the military. When Joan asks JL why Deborah Sampson was famous, he explained how she took control of her public image and narrative. With the help of publisher Herman Mann, Sampson published her experience as a soldier in book form. She would also cross-dress in her soldier’s uniform and perform on stage in order to support her family. Joan and JL’s conversation only lasts for a few moments in the film, so I would recommend listening to the podcast in its entirety to get a deeper understanding of how gender norms were already being rewritten and challenged during the founding of the nation.

 

The finished timeline for “Making Headlines.” Mark your calendars to see all four of our short films broadcast on GBH television and on the PBS app on July 2 at 9:00 pm EST. I also hope you can join us for a screening at GBH studios on July 15. Be sure to RSVP here.

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