HNIFF 2025
Mona's North Beach Noir
Directed by Kip Pearson · United States · 21 min · long short · narrative
It's San Francisco in the 1950s and post war paranoia is at its height. Mitch Marlowe (niece of detective Philip Marlowe) lands in town to start a new life.... passing as a man. She's brash, confident and very comfortable presenting as a man. What she discovers in North Beach is a vibrant world of artists, criminals, corrupt cops, jazz clubs and the LGBTQ+ shadow world. But is it safe for her anywhere? It was a dangerous time. LGBTQ people were hunted and blackmailed and forced into hiding for the most part. This film is based on North Beach Story, an award winning feature film script by Kip Pearson. Also an episodic series is in the early stages of development.
This film's screening window has ended.
From the director
Mona’s North Beach Noir is intended as a salute to the historical struggles of the LGBTQ + community in general and masculine-of-center lesbians whose true expression of their personhood could not be repressed. They have always existed throughout history despite the societal limitations of being female. They found their freedom by walking the world as men.
