Game Face is a documentary film that follows the lives of two LGBTQ athletes in their respective journeys to becoming professional athletes in their fields. The film centers around Kye Allums, a transgender basketball player, and Terrence Clemens, a gay college softball player. The film begins by delving into Allums' backstory and how he started playing basketball at a young age. Allums talks about growing up in a household where his father was a pastor and his family was deeply religious. He describes how he struggled with his gender identity and how that affected his relationship with his family and his basketball career. Allums eventually came out as transgender in 2010 during his junior year playing for the George Washington women's basketball team. This made him the first openly transgender NCAA Division I athlete in all sports.
As Allums continues to share his story, the movie shifts its focus to Clemens, a gay college softball player who grew up in a conservative Christian household in Georgia. Clemens talks about how he was forced to keep his sexuality a secret until he attended Georgia Perimeter College, where he was able to come out and be his true self. The film showcases Clemens' skills as a softball player, and his passion for the sport is evident as he talks about his dreams to play professionally.
Throughout the film, Game Face highlights the struggles that both Allums and Clemens face as they strive to succeed in their respective sports. Allums talks about the difficulties he faced when he transitioned, including having to compete with male hormones in his body and navigating the gender-segregated locker room environment. Clemens opens up about the discrimination he has faced on and off the field because of his sexuality, including being called homophobic slurs during games.
Despite the obstacles they face, Allums and Clemens remain resilient and determined to succeed. The movie shows Allums practicing and playing basketball with a fierce intensity, and viewers get to see his talent on the court firsthand. Similarly, Game Face showcases Clemens' incredible athleticism and skill as a softball player, with scenes of him hitting home runs and making impressive catches.
The documentary also touches on the importance of allyship, with appearances from Jason Collins, the first openly gay NBA player, and Brendon Ayanbadejo, a former NFL player and LGBTQ+ activist. Collins and Ayanbadejo discuss their experiences as LGBTQ athletes in their respective sports and encourage viewers to be allies to those who are marginalized.
Overall, Game Face is a powerful and inspiring documentary that sheds light on the struggles that LGBTQ athletes face in the world of sports. The film showcases the bravery of Allums and Clemens as they navigate their identities and chase their dreams, and it highlights the importance of LGBTQ visibility and allyship in sports. Ultimately, Game Face is a celebration of the resilience and determination of LGBTQ athletes and a call to action for a more inclusive and accepting sports world.
Game Face is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.