Do I Have Boobs Now?

2017, Canada, Courtney Demone, English,

Director: Joella Cabalu and Milena Salazar
Release Year: 2017

Synopsis:

"Do I Have Boobs Now?" (2017), a short documentary directed by Joella Cabalu and Milena Salazar, delves into the life of trans activist Courtney Demone and her viral social media campaign #DoIHaveBoobsNow. The campaign, which started in 2015, saw Demone post topless photos of herself during her hormone replacement therapy (HRT), sparking a global conversation on social media about gender identity, body image, the sexualization of feminine bodies, and the policies surrounding censorship. 

 

 In 2015, Courtney Demone, a trans activist based in Victoria, Canada, began posting topless pictures of herself on social media as part of her transition, using the hashtag #DoIHaveBoobsNow. This bold move quickly went viral, drawing attention from across the globe. Her campaign challenged the mainstream censorship of feminine bodies on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, which often deleted or flagged images of topless women but allowed those of men. Through her campaign, Demone raised critical questions about the sexualization of women's bodies and the double standards in social media policies. Her actions not only amplified discussions about body image and identity within the trans community but also brought attention to issues affecting all women, including the sexualization of their bodies in public spaces. 

 

A year after the launch of the #DoIHaveBoobsNow campaign, filmmakers Joella Cabalu and Milena Salazar sought to revisit the conversation that Demone had sparked. Rather than documenting the campaign as it unfolded, the filmmakers shifted their focus to explore its lasting impact on Demone’s life and identity. The film gives viewers an intimate look at how Demone navigated the fame and backlash that followed her viral campaign, reflecting on the ways in which her activism has shaped her understanding of body image, street harassment, and gender norms. The documentary highlights personal experiences while also exploring universal themes. The filmmakers were drawn to Courtney's ability to expose deep-seated issues like sexism and censorship through an accessible, relatable, and often humorous lens. By featuring Demone’s experiences, the film opens up a dialogue about how the internet shapes societal behavior and the way we interact with each other online. In this sense, the story of Demone’s campaign becomes a touchstone for anyone who engages with social media and has encountered its biases, both personal and institutional. 

 

For Milena Salazar, the idea of making a film about Demone came after she first saw the #DoIHaveBoobsNow photos circulating online. Salazar was drawn to the innovative way Demone used her body to address difficult topics like double standards, the sexualization of women, and censorship. Salazar, who is based in Vancouver but originally from Costa Rica, knew that Demone’s story had the potential to resonate with a broad audience. The documentary initially set out to follow the campaign as it unfolded, but due to timing and resource constraints, the filmmakers decided to change course. They opted instead to film a reflection of the campaign’s aftermath one year later, focusing on how the experience of being thrust into the international spotlight had affected Demone. The film thoughtfully balances an analysis of the campaign with personal insights into how Demone’s journey intersected with broader societal issues like gender identity, body image, and activism. 

 

"Do I Have Boobs Now?" premiered at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival in August 2017, where it was met with positive reception. The film won the OUTtvGO People’s Choice Award for Best Short Film, a testament to its impact and relevance in the queer and trans communities. The documentary sparked significant discussions about the censorship of feminine bodies and the broader implications of social media's control over how individuals present their bodies online. Salazar and Cabalu acknowledge that their film, created by two cisgender women, has led to important conversations about the role of representation in documentary filmmaking. While they were honored to tell Demone’s story, they also recognized the need for greater diversity in the film industry, particularly in ensuring that marginalized communities, such as trans people, have the opportunity to share their own stories. At the heart of "Do I Have Boobs Now?" is the question of why feminine bodies are so heavily sexualized, and how social media platforms contribute to this process. Courtney’s campaign prompted conversations about the public shaming of women’s bodies, specifically highlighting the discrepancy between the treatment of topless men and women on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The film invites viewers to reflect on these double standards, which are deeply embedded in both digital and real-world spaces. Joella Cabalu, in particular, sees the film as a tool for starting conversations about censorship, body autonomy, and the presentation of feminine bodies. The filmmakers hope that through Demone’s activism, audiences will reconsider how gender norms are enforced and how these norms affect not only individuals' self-perception but also their interactions with the world at large. 

 

"Do I Have Boobs Now?" is a reflection on both the personal and the political. The filmmakers hope the film sparks critical debates about the sexualization of bodies, the ways gender norms are imposed, and how censorship policies on social media platforms can shape these experiences. As an emerging film, it has already found its place in the conversation around representation and activism in the digital age. The filmmakers also hope to see the film screened widely at more festivals and distributed to a global audience. By amplifying Courtney Demone's voice, the film strives to continue the conversation about gender and body image while pushing for a greater understanding of the oppressive forces that many people, particularly those in the trans and queer communities, face on a daily basis. In terms of future projects, both Cabalu and Salazar are continuing to work on their own distinct works. Salazar is developing a personal project focusing on aging and companionship, while Cabalu is finishing a documentary about Filipino women dating white men and is also involved in the festival run for her other short documentary "FIXED!". 

 

"Do I Have Boobs Now?" stands as a vital documentary that captures not only the personal journey of Courtney Demone but also addresses larger societal issues like the censorship of bodies, gender identity, and the sexualization of feminine forms. Through their exploration of these issues, filmmakers Joella Cabalu and Milena Salazar provide a platform for important conversations that transcend beyond the screen, encouraging audiences to think critically about how bodies are policed, and how activism can challenge and change societal norms. The film’s success at festivals and its ongoing discussions in the public sphere are testaments to its relevance and impact in the ongoing fight for gender equality and body autonomy.

 

via: youtube

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Image credits: YouTube