A Day of Trans

2021, China, Liu Peilin, Mandarin, Yennefer Fang,

Director: Yennefer Fang
Release Year: 2021
Original title: 跨越性别的一天

Synopsis:

"A Day of Trans” (2021)," directed by Yennefer Fang, is a profound and intimate documentary that delves into the diverse experiences of transgender individuals across three generations in China. Through the stories of four individuals, the film sheds light on the evolving social, cultural, and economic landscape for transgender people in a rapidly changing China. The documentary offers an unfiltered look at their personal journeys, professional lives, community engagement, and the barriers they face in a society still grappling with issues of gender identity and LGBTQ+ rights.

 

The film’s release in Beijing on November 18, 2021, marked a significant moment in Chinese cinema, especially in the context of the country’s increasing global prominence. Fang, a transgender filmmaker with firsthand experience of the challenges faced by sexual minorities, uses the documentary as a way to reflect the dramatic changes in the lives of transgender individuals amid China’s economic boom and growing consumerism. "A Day of Trans" takes a unique approach to telling the stories of transgender people by featuring individuals from different generations, each offering their perspective on the evolution of transgender identity in China. The documentary highlights not just personal transformation, but the larger societal shifts that have influenced how transgender individuals navigate their identities.

 

The first subject of the documentary, Liu Peilin, known affectionately as “Sister Liu,” represents the older generation. Born in 1956 as male, Liu was raised as a man by her foster family, but she always felt like a woman. For much of her life, she played the role expected of her, marrying a woman, starting a family, and shouldering the responsibilities of caring for her sick mother. However, tragedy struck—her daughter was killed in a car accident, her marriage fell apart, and her mother passed away. It wasn’t until she was in her 40s, after her mother’s death, that Liu began to embrace her identity as a woman. Liu’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the emotional and psychological toll that living in a society with rigid gender norms can have. Her willingness to share her experience with Fang’s camera offers a rare insight into the life of a transgender individual who came to her identity later in life, a testament to the changing attitudes toward gender and self-expression in China.

 

The documentary then shifts to a very different perspective with Mr. C, a 35-year-old transgender man who became a public figure in the fight for employment equality. In 2016, Mr. C won a landmark legal battle against his employer for gender identity discrimination. His story demonstrates the progress that has been made in China regarding legal protections for transgender individuals, as well as the broader shift in society’s perceptions of transgender and LGBTQ+ people. As the film moves into the 1990s, two transgender artists—who grew up during China's rapid economic expansion—speak about the opportunities they now have to express themselves freely. These individuals work with institutions that offer support to the transgender community and are active on social media platforms like Sina Weibo and Bilibili, where they use their voices to advocate for transgender rights and visibility. Unlike previous generations, these individuals use technology to shape their identities and connect with others, showing how much has changed for younger generations of transgender people in China. The last segment of the film focuses on the experiences of Generation Z, who are growing up in a society heavily influenced by consumerism and technology. This generation has the advantage of more freedom of expression, although, as Fang points out, systemic barriers remain, including the challenges of institutional protection, employment discrimination, and access to healthcare. 

 

Fang’s decision to create "A Day of Trans" was deeply influenced by her own personal experiences as a transgender woman. Through the documentary, she seeks to challenge prevailing misconceptions about transgender identity, particularly the idea that “transgenderism” is a Western, middle-class phenomenon. In fact, the documentary highlights how transgender people in China have long existed, navigating their own unique set of economic and social challenges. Fang takes great care in presenting the complexities of transgender lives in China, emphasizing that the experience of being transgender is not monolithic. She notes, “Transgender is not an exclusively western concept. Different generations of Chinese transgender people have been navigating their unique sets of economic and social challenges.” From the older generations who fought for survival in a more conservative, less tolerant society, to younger generations embracing more visibility and freedom, the documentary showcases how Chinese transgender individuals' needs have evolved. Fang also explores the intersectionality of gender and economic disparity, asking hard questions about how societal structures continue to marginalize sexual minorities. She highlights how the experience of transgender women differs from that of transgender men, particularly given the gender power structure in Chinese society, which has historically privileged masculinity and male-dominated systems. Fang argues that as women’s rights progress, other sexual minorities also tend to experience more equality. 

 

"A Day of Trans" is not only a powerful personal story but also an essential piece of advocacy for greater acceptance of the transgender community in China. In a country where transgender people are often underrepresented or misrepresented in the media, Fang’s documentary provides much-needed visibility. Several local non-profit organizations supported the project, recognizing its potential to educate the public and raise awareness about the lived realities of transgender individuals in China. He Tao, the Head of Trans Projects at the Beijing LGBT Center, remarked, “The best way to educate the public about the transgender community is by watching documentaries, movies, and TV shows that reflect the reality of trans lives. We hope that this powerful documentary will inspire dialogue, confront unexamined assumptions, celebrate the progress already made, and shed a spotlight on the unfinished work that still needs to be done in the fight for equality.” 

 

"A Day of Trans" is a significant contribution to the discourse surrounding transgender rights and representation in China. It calls attention to the need for greater understanding and acceptance, especially as younger generations continue to challenge traditional norms and embrace their identities. The documentary is a powerful reminder that while progress has been made, much work remains to be done to ensure equality for transgender people across generations. As the film continues to gain attention, it is clear that "A Day of Trans" is not just a documentary—it is a conversation starter, an invitation to reflect on the intersection of identity, gender, and society in contemporary China. It is a call to action for greater visibility, more inclusive policies, and, ultimately, a more just society for all.

 

via: youtube

globaltimes.cn and businesswire.com
letterboxd.com

Image credits: YouTube