Mariana Fabian, the former opinion editor for Technician Vol. 103, co-wrote an indie film titled “Growing Pains,” which will make its North Carolina debut at the Rialto on May 18. “Growing Pains” follows the main characters Nat and Zoe as they transition from middle to high school, exploring themes such as identity, body dysmorphia, sexuality and mental health.
Fabian co-wrote the film with the director, Catherine Argyrople. The two became friends after Argyrople came across Fabian’s opinion piece on “The Wilds,” which argues that more accurate representation of young people on TV starts with better research.
After the two connected, the storyline for Argyrople’s “Growing Pains” developed as they exchanged stories about their experience as adolescents.
“At first, it was just talking about transitioning from our middle to high school selves. We had pages and pages of just ideas, stories and character development,” Fabian said.
Since the writing stemmed from personal conversations, the characters of Nat and Zoe contain elements of Fabian and Argyrople’s real experiences.
“Nat’s experiences aren’t a one-to-one reflection of mine. It’s not the same for everybody, but it’s about my experience as a lesbian growing up in a Hispanic household. I looked at my life when I was 19, and Catherine and I laid it out,” Fabian said.
Fabian also emphasized that part of the importance of sharing her story is that it’s one she hasn’t seen told before.
“I want people to have this film because I don’t think anyone has told this particular story yet. We have coming-out stories and more identities being represented, but I haven’t seen a Hispanic lesbian on TV the way I think it should be portrayed,” Fabian said.
Another goal of the film was to depict moments of queer prosperity and fulfillment, which can be hard to find in films that follow the difficulties that queer people face.
“You have these really difficult, traumatic gay stories that are important, but there also needs to be some absolute queer joy in these moments too,” Fabian said.
Hope for Teens, the LGBT Center of Raleigh and Wake Forest Pride participate in a mediated panel after the screening. This panel will encourage meaningful dialogue and help the audience further engage with the themes presented in the film.
Fabian explained that each panelist was invited for a purpose specific to their organization.
“Hope for Teens advocates for queer youth in the Triangle, LGBT center of Raleigh is a large organization with broad outreach and Wake Forest Pride highlights pride events that happen outside of the Triangle,” Fabian said.
Overall, the film aims to validate the experience of queer youth, encourage important conversations and emphasize that more of these stories need to be told.
“Middle school is this weird time when your body grows faster than your mind. People are mean, and people are insecure,” Fabian said. “We want people to feel validated and seen, and we want them to feel safe having conversations about things like identity and body dysmorphia.”
Fabian also explained the important role that Technician played as a milestone in both their college career and journey as a writer.
“Technician and student media helped me become who I am today. I met a lot of cool people and went to a lot of cool places. I got to do this movie because of an article I wrote for Technician. It’s hard work, but it’s really fulfilling,” Fabian said.
Tickets for the North Carolina debut of “Growing Pains” in partnership with Hope for Teens, the LGBT Center of Raleigh and Wake Forest Pride are available now. The screening and subsequent panel will take place at the Rialto on May 18 from 6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m.
