Out in the Silence

Out in the Silence

Love collides with hate in small town America

2009 · 56 min · ★ 5.6 · Documentary

There may not be any secrets in a small town, but there is an expectation of silence. In A Town Called Oil City, the return of a native son to announce his same sex wedding and help a gay teen who is being tormented at school offers a chance to change the way things have always been done.

Directed by Joe Wilson

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Rent or Buy

Cast

Make it a double feature

2h 27m together

Out in the Silence

Tarnation

A close match in mood and era.

More from Joe WilsonSee all →

A Place in the Middle

A Place in the Middle · 2014

A Place in the Middle

MovieFamilyDrama

Eleven year old Ho'onani dreams of leading the hula troupe at her inner-city Honolulu school. The only trouble is that the group is just for boys. She's fortunate that her teacher understands first-hand what it's like to be 'in the middle' - the ancient Hawaiian tradition of embracing both male and female spirit. Together they set out to prove that what matters most is to be true to yourself.

Kumu Hina

Kumu Hina · 2014

MovieDocumentary

A powerful film about the struggle to maintain Pacific Islander culture and values within the Westernized society of modern day Hawaiʻi. It is told through the lens of an extraordinary Native Hawaiian who is both a proud and confident māhū, or transgender woman, and an honored and respected kumu, or teacher, cultural practitioner, and community leader.

Kapaemahu

Kapaemahu · 2020

MovieAnimationDrama

Long ago, four extraordinary beings of dual male and female spirit, led by Kapaemahu, brought certain healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii and were loved by the people for their gentle ways and the miraculous cures they performed.

Aikāne

Aikāne · 2023

A valiant island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world. When the octopus who rescued him transforms into a handsome young man, they fall in love and an epic adventure begins.

Leitis in Waiting

Leitis in Waiting · 2018

Leitis in Waiting

MovieDocumentary

The story of Joey Mataele and the Tonga Leitis, an intrepid group of transgender women fighting a rising tide of religious fundamentalism and intolerance in the South Pacific Kingdom.

Lady Eva

Lady Eva · 2017

A brave young transgender woman sets off on a journey to become her true self in the conservative Pacific Island kingdom of Tonga—with a little inspiration from Tina Turner.

MĀHŪ: A Trans-Pacific Love Story

MĀHŪ: A Trans-Pacific Love Story · 2025

MĀHŪ: A Trans-Pacific Love Story

A documentary that explores the Native Hawaiian concept of gender fluidity by interweaving intimate interviews with a multimedia stage performance featuring hula, chant, and contemporary music. The film centers on the artistic collaborators of the show—all acclaimed Hawaiian transgender artists—offering a powerful reflection on identity, culture, and expression.

Remembering the Glade

Remembering the Glade · 2024

Remembering the Glade

MovieDocumentary

Legendary 80 year-old showgirl Brandy Lee recalls how the Glade, a Honolulu nightclub famous for its “Boys Will Be Girls” revue, became a place of community, refuge, and joy for mahu – individuals of dual male and female spirit – during a time of violent anti-trans discrimination.

More Like This

Tarnation

Tarnation · 2003

MovieDocumentaryDrama

Filmmaker Jonathan Caouette's documentary on growing up with his schizophrenic mother -- a mixture of snapshots, Super-8, answering machine messages, video diaries, early short films, and more -- culled from 19 years of his life.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter