Release Year: 2008
Synopsis:
"Appelez-moi Madame" (Call Me Madame) is a rare and poignant documentary by Françoise Romand that explores the life of Ovida Delect, a French trans woman whose journey from Jean-Pierre Voidies to Ovida Delect embodies a complex intersection of gender, history, and identity. Released in 1986, the film presents a personal and intimate look at Delect's transition, alongside the effect it had on her family, particularly her wife and teenage son. Through the lens of this documentary, Romand provides an invaluable portrayal of Delect, a French poet, politician, and former member of the French Resistance, whose life story resonates with the broader struggles of gender identity and acceptance, especially in post-war France.
Ovida Delect's life, as depicted in the documentary, is marked by profound transformation and resilience. Born Jean-Pierre Voidies on April 24, 1926, in Caen, Delect grew up during a time of intense political and social upheaval. As a young student, she was drawn into the French Resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II, a decision that would shape her life in profound ways. Along with several comrades, Delect joined a small resistance group that was linked to the French Communist Party, posing as a member of the National Popular Youth to infiltrate Nazi lines. She was arrested by the Gestapo in 1944, subjected to brutal torture, and ultimately deported to the Neuengamme concentration camp in Germany. Despite the inhumane conditions, Delect refused to betray her comrades, and her survival is, in many ways, a testament to her inner strength.
After the war, Delect returned to her studies and began a literary career that would see her become a prolific poet. In 1946, she won the prestigious Paul Valéry Prize for her poems that chronicled her experiences during the war. She also immersed herself in the intellectual circles of post-war France, meeting celebrated poets like Paul Éluard and gaining recognition for her work. However, beneath this public life as a respected writer and intellectual, Delect grappled with a deeply personal struggle: she felt herself to be a woman trapped in a man's body. As early as the 1950s, Delect began to privately express her identity to her close friends and wife, Huguette, a kindergarten teacher whom she had met in the early 1950s. By the time she was 55 years old, she made the momentous decision to undergo gender transition.
Ovida’s transition, which took place in the late 1970s, was a profound act of self-affirmation, but also one filled with immense personal and familial challenges. "Appelez-moi Madame" explores how Delect’s decision to live authentically as a woman affected those around her. In the documentary, she speaks candidly about the strain on her relationship with her wife, who, though supportive, had to navigate her own complex emotions about the changes in their lives. The film also touches on the emotional impact of Delect's transition on their teenage son, Jean-Noel. As a family, they were forced to redefine their roles and identities in a world that was not always welcoming or understanding of Delect's gender identity.
Delect’s life is depicted not only through her personal transformation but also through her literary work and political involvement. A committed Communist and active participant in post-war politics, Delect’s advocacy for marginalized groups and her involvement in the feminist movement provided a political framework for her gender identity. Her poetry, which spans multiple volumes, frequently touches on themes of resistance, transformation, and the human spirit. One of her notable works is La Demoiselle de Kerk, a poetic novel that combines elements of autobiography with fictional storytelling, drawing on her wartime experiences. It reflects Delect’s continual engagement with the complexities of identity and the ways in which personal history intersects with collective memory.
Delect's transition was not just a private matter, but a public statement. By choosing to document her journey in "Appelez-moi Madame," she became one of the first openly trans women to feature prominently in a French film, paving the way for future discussions of transgender lives in French cinema. While the documentary was groundbreaking, its reception was mixed. For many, it was a pioneering film that shed light on the struggles and realities faced by transgender individuals, especially trans women. However, the film also faced criticism, both from the public and within the transgender community. Some critics, like Armond White, questioned the validity of Delect’s identity, suggesting that her poetry was of poor quality and that her journey was one of mere personal ego rather than a meaningful contribution to broader cultural conversations about gender and society. Such critiques underscore the broader societal discomfort with transgender narratives, particularly in a time when such discussions were still in their infancy.
Despite these criticisms, Delect's story—and by extension, the documentary—remains an important part of both French literary history and the history of transgender representation in film. "Appelez-moi Madame" transcends the personal story of one woman’s transition to become a broader commentary on the struggles and triumphs of living as one's true self in a world that often resists change. The film’s influence extends beyond the French context, contributing to global conversations about gender identity, transphobia, and the politics of visibility.
After Delect’s death in 1996, her legacy continued to grow. Her literary contributions, particularly her autobiographies, are now recognized as significant works within the broader context of post-war French literature. In 2019, a public square in Paris was named in her honor—La Place Ovida-Delect—marking the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Paris and coinciding with the annual Pride March. This tribute highlights not only her role in the Resistance but also her importance in the history of trans rights and gender identity in France. Through this recognition, Ovida Delect's legacy as both a writer and a trans woman is solidified, serving as an inspiration to future generations who seek to live authentically and unapologetically.
"Appelez-moi Madame" remains a vital and transformative work, not just as a documentary about one woman’s life, but as a cornerstone in the ongoing fight for transgender visibility and rights. By documenting Ovida Delect's journey, Françoise Romand created a film that transcends the personal, offering a universal message of resistance, courage, and the power of self-identity. It is a reminder that the struggle for recognition, acceptance, and love is a long and difficult one, but also one that has the potential to change the course of history.
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