River Gallo Debuts Intersex Latinx Film Ponyboi at Sundance

The film "Ponyboi," written by and starring River Gallo, centers on an intersex, Latinx sex worker navigating life and identity in early 2000s New Jersey. Based on Gallo's personal experiences and initially developed from a performance piece and a short film, the story explores themes of gender, cultural identity, toxic masculinity, and trauma while unfolding as a crime thriller involving a drug deal gone wrong. Gallo’s portrayal is groundbreaking, marking one of the first major film lead roles for an intersex actor playing an intersex character, and the project is notable for its nuanced depiction of intersex experiences amidst a socio-political climate hostile to gender diversity. The film blends gritty New Jersey mob movie elements with dreamlike sequences symbolizing positive masculinity, challenging traditional genre conventions and expanding representation. Directed by Esteban Arango and supported by co-stars like Dylan O’Brien, "Ponyboi" received attention for its heartfelt storytelling and its importance as a pioneering work for the intersex community. Gallo emphasized the emotional weight of representing an underrepresented group and valued the collaborative spirit of the cast and crew in bringing the story to life.