Rochdale News | News Headlines | New ‘queer sci-fi’ film will be a message against transphobia

Rochdale has hosted the production of a brand new independent queer sci-fi feature film, called The Moon is a Hologram.

Principal photography began on September 17 at the Empire in the city centre, with a live performance by Arch Femmessis setting the tone for this unique and genre-defying film.

The film, produced by Apres Vague Productions, is directed by Selene Kapsaski, best known for her work on Spidarlings. About the choice of the filming location, producer Rahel Kapsaski said:

“It’s a great honour for us to begin filming in such a historic location as Rochdale, and the Empire is the perfect backdrop.”

The Moon is a Hologram is described as a “queer sci-fi romance,” with a plot centering on Sasha, a young woman who returns to her hometown to find it overrun by aliens.

Along the way, she meets Jess and Mike, a young nihilistic trans couple, and the three form a polyamorous relationship amid the chaos of a mysterious epidemic hitting the city.

The film addresses real-life transgender issues through its fictional narrative, with the aim of raising awareness of the challenges faced by transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming communities in the UK. Kapsaski and her team are passionate about using film as an advocacy tool in the face of what they describe as a “transphobic climate” in the country.

In addition to its sci-fi storyline, the film carries a powerful message, addressing the current political climate and the rise of transphobia in the UK.

The filmmakers hope The Moon is a Hologram will help eradicate transphobia and discrimination, while also highlighting the health challenges faced by the trans community.

“The lack of representation of transgender protagonists in mainstream film and television remains a problem,” the team said in a statement. “We see film as the ideal medium to raise awareness and advocate for transgender issues.”

As The Moon is a Hologram prepares to shoot in Rochdale, the project is set to bring both visibility and important conversations to the forefront of British independent cinema.