Release Year: 2012
Original title: Entre il et ailes - Devenir femme à 60 ans
Synopsis:
In 2012, the world witnessed a powerful and poignant documentary, Entre il et ailes – Devenir femme à 60 ans (translated as In einem Jahr zu Christa – Frau werden mit sechzig). Directed by Laurence Périgaud, the film followed the life of Christa Muth, a distinguished professor of management, systems scientist, and transgender activist, as she embarked on a deeply personal and transformative journey to embrace her true identity as a woman. Muth’s story is not just a tale of gender transition; it is a journey of profound self-discovery, courage, and societal reflection that transcends the boundaries of personal experience to become a universal narrative about human rights, identity, and freedom.
Born in 1949 in Rheydt, a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Christa Muth spent the majority of her life navigating the complexities of her gender identity in a world that expected her to fit neatly into the binary roles of “male” and “female.”
Assigned male at birth, Muth grew up with the knowledge that something about her identity felt incongruent with societal expectations. She felt neither truly male nor female, but instead identified as a “Two-Spirit”—a term borrowed from some Indigenous cultures to describe individuals who embody both masculine and feminine traits. This in-between existence, with its internal tension and external challenges, marked the early part of Muth’s life.
Muth’s early years were shaped by her family’s Lutheran background and a challenging post-war environment in Germany. Her family faced persecution during the Nazi era due to their refusal to join the NSDAP, and the turbulence of the post-World War II years left an indelible mark on her psyche. When Muth was 11 years old, the family relocated to Switzerland, a move that would expose her to new languages and cultures and offer opportunities for academic and personal growth.
Muth’s academic and professional journey is marked by an interdisciplinary approach to management and organizational theory. She studied economic history and sociology at the University of Geneva, where she was influenced by intellectual giants such as Edgar Morin, Jean Piaget, and Paolo Freire. Later, Muth earned a Ph.D. at La Jolla University in California, where she focused on the intersection of education and the private sector, particularly the success and marketing strategies of private universities.
Her career as a professor and management consultant spanned decades, during which she developed a reputation for challenging conventional management practices. She emphasized the importance of soft skills, social competence, and participatory management styles. She was particularly known for her work in "Human Systems Engineering" (HSE), a field she pioneered, which focuses on understanding the intangible factors within organizations that influence decision-making and organizational health. Her work in this field was widely recognized, and she established a Master’s program at the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO) that was groundbreaking in its holistic approach to business and management.
In addition to her academic work, Muth played an instrumental role in the development of sustainable business practices, particularly in the printing industry, where she helped lead initiatives that promoted environmentally friendly practices and corporate responsibility. Despite these professional successes, Muth continued to grapple with her gender identity, which she had suppressed for much of her life.
Muth was aware of her gender dysphoria from an early age, but societal and professional pressures prevented her from fully exploring or expressing her true identity. Throughout her youth and early adulthood, she attempted to transition on several occasions, but each time, the lack of societal acceptance and the fear of professional and personal repercussions held her back. As a result, Muth lived most of her life in a state of internal conflict, presenting as male in public and private spheres, even though she felt deeply that she was a woman.
It wasn’t until Muth reached her late 50s that she decided to confront her gender identity head-on. After a prolonged period of illness and personal reflection, Muth came to the painful but liberating realization that if she did not transition, she would never be able to live authentically. With newfound courage and access to online transgender communities, Muth found the information and support she needed to take the monumental step toward transitioning.
At the age of 58, Muth made the life-changing decision to undergo gender-affirming surgery. She traveled to Thailand to undergo the procedure with Dr. Preecha Tiewtranon, a renowned surgeon in the field of transgender healthcare. The surgery, which took place in 2007, marked the beginning of Muth’s full transition into womanhood.
The following year, Muth’s journey was documented by filmmaker Laurence Périgaud. The resulting film, Entre il et ailes – Devenir femme à 60 ans, follows Muth’s transformation from Chris to Christa—her social and professional coming-out as a woman. The film is not only a chronicle of her surgery but also an intimate look at the emotional and psychological challenges that accompanied the process. Throughout the year, Muth navigated the complexities of gender, identity, and self-acceptance, confronting deeply ingrained societal norms and personal fears.
The documentary provides a rare glimpse into the lived experience of a transgender person who is undergoing a late-in-life transition. Muth’s vulnerability, strength, and determination are palpable throughout the film, and her story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. As Muth transitions, she grapples with both the external challenges—such as how her colleagues, students, and family will react—and the internal struggles of accepting her new identity.
Muth’s transition was not only a personal evolution but also a professional one. She continued to work as a professor and management consultant while navigating her new life as Christa. Her career, which had already been groundbreaking in its approach to management and systems thinking, now took on a new dimension as she became an advocate for transgender rights and an outspoken critic of societal norms surrounding gender.
After her transition, Christa Muth became an active member of the transgender community in Switzerland. She joined the TransGender Network Switzerland (TGNS) and worked to raise awareness about the challenges faced by transgender individuals. Through her activism, Muth sought to create a more inclusive and accepting society for people of all gender identities, pushing back against the stigma and discrimination that often accompany gender nonconformity.
Muth also turned her attention to the broader societal issues of innovation and sustainability. In the years following her transition, she began to focus on "societal innovation," a field that explores how businesses and governments can create more sustainable and equitable solutions to global challenges. Her work in this area has led to the development of new ideas and strategies for addressing the most pressing issues facing the world today, such as climate change, economic inequality, and social justice.
Christa Muth’s journey is a profound example of the transformative power of embracing one’s true self. Her life, both before and after her transition, is marked by an unwavering commitment to personal growth, professional excellence, and societal change. She has shown the world that it is never too late to become who you truly are, and that the pursuit of authenticity can be a powerful force for change, both personally and collectively.
Muth’s story also highlights the importance of compassion, understanding, and support for those who are navigating their own journeys of gender identity. Through her advocacy and activism, she has worked to create a more inclusive world for transgender individuals, challenging societal norms and encouraging greater acceptance and respect for diversity in all its forms.
As she continues to teach, write, and speak out on issues related to societal innovation and transgender rights, Christa Muth’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of individuals who are searching for the courage to live authentically and without fear. Her journey is a testament to the power of self-discovery, and it serves as a reminder that the pursuit of truth and freedom is a lifelong process—one that is worth every step, no matter how challenging.
Christa Muth’s transformation from Chris to Christa is not just a personal triumph; it is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the enduring human spirit. In the words of Muth herself, her journey is about "taking wing" and embracing the fullness of who she truly is.
Trailer:
Post a Comment