MEN in charge is a film that explores the creation and presentation of the live performance work, It began with watching. In doc(mock)umentary form, MEN in charge depicts how kloetzel&co. was able to create a brutally humorous take on gender and/in the U.S. political landscape as ‘alternative facts’ and outlandish acts take centre stage. Co-created with the cinematographer and director Linnea Swan, MEN in charge offers an entertaining and honest portrait of a sector enthralled with power. 

Since its release on January 20, 2021 (U.S. Inauguration Day), MEN in charge has received a Best Short Documentary Award from the DC AFTER DARK International Film Festival, a Best Documentary award from the Mabig Film Festival (Germany), a Best Female Short award from the Freedom Festival International (USA), a Best Experimental Film from the GO Independent International Film Festival (USA), as well as an Honorable Mention in the Documentary Short category at the New York IO Film Festival (USA).

MEN in charge has also been selected for presentation through the Toronto International Women Film Festival, Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema (Boulder, CO), the LA Independent Women Film Awards, Film Girl Film Festival (WI), Star City Film Festival (MN), the ARTS x SDGs Festival (NY), the New York City IO Film Festival, Freedom Festival International (SC), the Festival of Genders and Performances (Portugal), dance:made in canada festival (Toronto), Reading Film Fest (Reading, PA), FLOW Festival (FL), and the Moving Parts Film Festival (Los Angeles).

Two sneak previews of the film were presented by Wild Dogs international Screendance Festival and through ReLoCate’s The Experiment #4 series. Subscribe to the kloetzel&co. YouTube channel to see three episodic trailers for the film. 

The film is based on the work It began with watching that toured to over ten theatre spaces and alternative sites in Canada between 2016-20.