Author: The JT LeRoy Story - Official Trailer

In 2006, The New York Times sent shockwaves through the literary world when it unmasked “it boy” wunderkind JT LeRoy, whose tough prose about a sordid childhood had captivated icons and luminaries internationally. It turned out LeRoy didn’t actually exist. He was the creative expression of 40-year-old San Francisco former phone-sex operator turned housewife, Laura Albert. From the director of The Devil and Daniel Johnston, Author: The JT LeRoy Story takes us down the infinitely fascinating rabbit hole of how Laura Albert—like a Cyrano de Bergerac on steroids—breathed not only words, but life, into her avatar for a decade. Her epic and entertaining account plunges us into a glittery world of rock shows and fashion events, ultimately revealing that channeling her brilliant fiction through another identity was the only possible path to self-expression.

In theatres September 9th

[g-perscreepers]

The most fascinating documentary in years, about the most salient author in decades. Laura Albert's novels have only become more pertinent in the 16 years since they were first published. That the identity of their authorship produced such reactionary vitriol from the media only holds up a mirror to the latent misogyny and facile, mercurial ethics of the society in which they were published. Allbert tells her own story with such strength and grace that it becomes clear why her work had such a profound effect in the first place. She is brave and honest enough to explore those areas of existence for which there are no words.

[LarryAuerbach]

This was a truly outstanding documentary. My loud applause to Jeff Feuerzeig and his team for making this very complex and beautiful film. Laura's story is so weird and fantastical and is rooted in such great pain that she almost outdoes Alice's adventures in Wonderland, as she travels down a very modern real life rabbit hole and finds her way out of it— its magical realism surpasses that of her novel "Sarah". Laura's hoard of souvenirs, photos, film, videos and audio recordings was used to great effect by Feuerzeig and his crew. Great interviews with Laura and lots of other people. It's a fucking work of art, about a singular creative person I admire and empathize with. :-)

[miabays]

This is one of the best documentaries of the year. It's such a complex, layered story and I don't care that you don't hear from other voices, the whole point is the filmmaker chose to give the platform to the voice the world hadn't heard from - that of the creator of the work and the whole incredible story world that was/is JT Leroy, Laura Albert. She's one hell of a storyteller, quel surprise... We hosted a screening and discussion in London this week and it got the audience fired up, which is the sign of a great film.  We hope it finds the audience it surely deserves.

[KMTPOneLife]

Finally! I can't wait to see the film. This isn't just a topic that is about headlines, this is a topic more philosophically insightful about identity.

[DevinCut]

A fantastic film that sends you through the birth of JT Leroy & how it became a roller coaster ride that pierced through all of the major industries. Albert lacked the confidence to write through her own voice, but due to the creation of JT, she was able
to start the process of believing & finding validity in herself.

[mickeykeen]

Wonderful, wonderful books. I devoured them. Whether you want to go there or not, JT (Laura) pulls you in to a world that becomes all absorbing. I can't wait to see the movie to better understand the beginnings of it all.

[dannic]

Many questions are brought forth with the unfolding saga of the JT LeRoy novels, so of course I was anxious to see this film from author Laura Albert's perspective - now several years after some of the dust has settled on the original media frenzy revealing her to be the stealth author behind the LeRoy novels.  Kudos to Jeff Feuerzeig for making the film and getting Laura Albert and other primary sources to trust him enough to share their intimate details.  For those of us that have followed the trajectory of JT LeRoy, the film does not disappoint, it is revelatory and at times deeply poignant and touching and beautifully crafted.

For me the take away of the film and the whole phenomenom begs the question - why the often irrational randomness in how and when and why we apply ethics in the art world. Isn't the absence of a set standard one of the salient points of making art?  Why for example are William Burroughs outlaw cultural riffs endlessly celebrated ad nauseum, but when a woman like Laura Albert crosses the gender line and takes on the culturally charged persona of a male youth at risk, she is persistently demonized for her inventiveness.

And so through this documentary film we finally get confirmation of the piece to the puzzle that many of us suspected all along through the course of the public witch hunt that occurred after the reveal of Albert’s part in things. Turns out the source of the narrative was actually telling her story after all, that she had authentically lived a parallel track to her avatar JT LeRoy including but not limited to surviving molestation, abandonment and disassociation and addiction. She was in fact a youth at risk herself. This film affirms that we originally responded empathetically to the work because its authenticity was not very far away despite it’s fictional sheath and the media circus that grew up around its success.

The film is refreshingly pro-neurodiversity and a welcome voice at a time when counter culture seems almost crusty or worse - fickle in its propensity towards call out culture... and often for not very good or rational reasons.

[BooksOfNoone]

One of the best flicks I've seen in ages - the whole cinema erupted in laughter when Laura mentioned "The Bono Talk" - Irish folk hold, well to say a certain irreverence is an understatement, toward him so you stick a bunch of us in a room and we hear that there's not gonna be any other result

[TodKopfstein]

what i find interesting is that she lied to begin with, and now the filmmakers are using her version of the story as the spine that holds this documentary up.

[funboi]

Do you know how many authors have used pseudonyms? Like who cares, people were just butthurt cause they felt she lied, bish she is JT Leroy

[BrownSali]

Wonderful - It is heartfelt, honest and beautifully put together. I laughed, felt sadness and at times anger at how fickle people can be. Overall I felt the vulnerability and honesty of the author as they channeled through JT, the issues they went through and the pain felt.. Never judge an author!

[diamondclayton]

Ive be able to see the whole start from finish of the story of JT LeToy. There are many people in this world that can relate and embrace the message behind this film. This will be a movie to It felt as if I was there and I realized that I was, but I found to realize I was juts in my seat :)

GO SEE THIS EVERYONE Everyone can relate

[aliciasophia]

JT LeRoy saved my life. One of the best books I've ever read and will continue to be my favorite for the rest of forever.

[avadearson]

I attended the viewing of The JT Leroy story with trepidation. I was a huge fan of the books and attended the Film premiere introduced by Asia Argento at the ICA London.
I was so glad I saw the documentary and had all my questions answered. The reason Laura Albert wrote about abuse so well is because she had experienced it first hand. The author found it easier to write as if she was a boy as the truth was too painful. I found the documentary incredibly moving and Laura Albert captivating and incredibly clever. I really hope fellow JT Leroy fans see the documentary and show some compassion. Whether or not you have read the books you will be gripped, it such a fascinating story.

[gilpadia]

Author: The JT LeRoy Story is one of the best documentaries I've seen in years, and I just got goosebumps watching the trailer. The director, Jeff Feuerzeig, does an amazing job of keeping Laura Albert's story moving in an exciting, edge of your seat manner. For anyone who has read the JT Le Roy novels or is concerned with artist integrity and fighting the machine as well as human rights will definitely want to watch this film!

[denaewest]

Jeff Feuerzeig is a genius for the way he was able to tell Laura Albert's story. If you haven't already, you must see this. Laura is absolutely brilliant!

[movonup]

I won't pretend to know much about J.T. Leroy, but obviously a lot of people dig everything that she wrote. That says to me no hoax. Remember Milli Vannili? 20 million people with horrible music taste bought that album regardless of who was really singing on it. No hoax either!

[artifactschannel]

Amazing! I am so looking forward to seeing this!

[cineapsejohnny]

Amazing film about an amazing person! This is a must watch if you like a twisted good humored doc that interprets the artist mind!

[MrJames-twso]

just ordered Sarah, and frank o hara's lunch poems, interesting mix, looking forward to reading both, normally don't go for fiction when the real thing is much more interesting.