Bertil Nilsson’s ‘Masc’ Explores Queer, Biracial, Autistic Experience

In Bertil Nillson‘s feature directorial debut Masc, the writer/director teams up with co-writer and star Joshua Griffin to share a story of intersectionality and self-love.

Making its world premiere last night in TIFF‘s Next Wave Selects section, Masc stars Griffin as Robin, a queer, biracial man on the autism spectrum, who struggles over a year to learn how to exist as himself.

“It’s worth saying that most of the time autistic characters are portrayed as a stereotype, not a real person,” said Nillson. “Every autistic person is different and so is Robin. He’s not intended as a representation of autism.”

The writer/director continued, “I think that’s similar to how queer characters have historically been portrayed. Thankfully we now have a much richer queer representation in films and hope our film can contribute to that, as well as adding an autistic perspective.”

In a Deadline exclusive clip from Masc, Robin (Griffin) asks Sky (Reece King) about where to get drugs, specifically crack cocaine. A concerned friend, Sky steers Robin toward something more his speed.

Watch the clip above.