In July 2014, gamer Narcissa Wright became a world-record holder for beating the game, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, in 18 minutes on a speedrunning livestream. Wright quickly rose to fame, developing a massive fanbase and making a living from streaming her gameplay. A year later, when Wright comes out as a trans woman, she discovers the volatile nature of internet fandom as the comments devolve into transphobic vitriol. Determined to stage a dramatic comeback, Wright sets her sights on setting a world record in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and live streams every minute of her mythic quest. Filmmaker Jane M. Wagner draws from an extensive archive of more than 3,000 hours of Wright’s livestreams, intimate verite, and 8-bit animation to craft a moving exploration of gamer culture, the realities of online harassment, and the mental health implications of living a digital life.
This screening will be followed by a moderated Q&A session with director, Jane M. Wagner.