Songwriter/artist Allee Willis, best known for writing the “Friends” theme song, the Earth Wind & Fire mega-hit “September” and “The Color Purple” musical, began filming her life as a kid in 1950s Detroit and never stopped. She pursued creative expression at all costs while struggling with not fitting established gender and sexual norms … until she found a path to love. Michigan premiere.

After the film: On Thursday, Kathy Kieliszewski, Freep Film Festival artistic director, talks to Prudence Fenton, executive producer on the film, Allee Willis’ partner and multimedia artist.