Trans, uniques en leur genre

2022, Aëla Chanel, France, French,

Director: Delphine Cinier
Release Year:

Synopsis:

"Trans, Uniques en leur Genre" (2012) is a poignant and insightful documentary directed by Delphine Cinier and aired by the French M6 national TV channel, which explores the lives of three individuals at different stages of their transition: Zach, Aléa, and Emma. Despite living in distinct regions of France and experiencing different generations, all three have grappled with gender dysphoria and the challenges that accompany being transgender. With an estimated 15,000 people in France born into the "wrong" gender, this film sheds light on their shared journey through the lens of their personal stories. 

 

At just 18 years old, Zach exudes a fierce determination to be himself. "Too young to be myself? Too young for what? To be me?" he questions, his resolve evident in his words. Born in a female body, Zach has always known that he was meant to be a boy. Throughout his childhood, he was often described as a "tomboy," but it wasn’t until adolescence that the deep-seated confusion started to surface. He recalls wondering, "Why do I have breasts? Why am I not simply a boy?" At 16, he began his transition, opting for breast removal surgery and hormone treatment with the support of his family and friends. But despite his progress, Zach faces a new hurdle: the need to have his gender officially recognized by the state. This involves changing the gender marker on his birth certificate, a process that requires proving the mismatch between the gender assigned to him at birth and his true identity. 

 

Aléa, 34, is another central figure in the documentary. While she has come a long way in her transition, there is still a legal battle ahead. Though she lives as a woman, her official documents still list her as male, making it difficult for her to navigate everyday situations, including job hunting. Aléa, who is also a beauty queen—having been crowned Miss France Trans and ranked third in the world—is frequently met with ridicule and discrimination. She recalls the abuse she endured in her youth, facing mockery and harassment during her school years in Isère and Haute-Savoie. As she explains, 90% of transgender individuals experience some form of violence, though only 10% report it. Aléa had an early realization about her gender identity, understanding from the age of seven—after watching a television report—that she was not born in the right body. However, it wasn't until she was 30 that she fully embarked on her transition, feeling that continuing to live a lie was causing her too much pain. In 2019, she shared the news with her father that her eldest son, Nicolas, would become Aléa. 

 

Emma’s journey was even longer. She spent the first two-thirds of her life as a man, married with children, and managing a successful career. However, at 57, Emma made the decision to transition, beginning hormone therapy and selling her shares in the family business. This drastic step led to deep personal reflections, particularly with her wife, Marie, who had to confront the complex emotions of being married to someone who would become a woman. While initially unsure, Marie eventually agreed to participate in the documentary, supporting Emma's decision. The documentary’s central goal is noble: to explore the evolution of transgender identity across different generations. Through the stories of Zach, Aléa, and Emma, the film presents a window into the complex realities of transitioning at different stages of life. However, the film does not escape some critiques. The use of reenactments, for example, has been criticized for diminishing the emotional power of the testimonies, with some viewers finding them unnecessary. Furthermore, the inclusion of "dead names"—the names that Aléa and Emma were assigned at birth—along with archival photos and videos from before their transitions, could be seen as deeply troubling for those who view the use of dead names as a form of violence. Zach, for instance, explicitly refused to allow the use of his former name. "I don’t want people to imagine me with a female name," he states, emphasizing that revisiting the past can be painful for those who have moved forward in their identity.

 

One of the most contentious aspects of the documentary, however, is the debate that follows its airing. Titled ""Enfant transgenre : que faire ?" ("Transgender Children: What to Do?")", the debate features Karine Le Marchand, the documentary’s producer, moderating a discussion that includes Zach, psychiatrist Serge Hefez, Solange (a mother who is opposed to supporting her trans child’s gender transition), and Blandine, a feminist critical of the transgender movement. This debate, which airs after the documentary, has sparked backlash, particularly from the Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Journalists (AJL), which condemned the inclusion of voices that promote transphobic views. The AJL also expressed concern about the framing of the debate, suggesting that by allowing transphobic perspectives to be presented as legitimate, M6 was contributing to a dangerous discourse. The documentary’s exploration of these issues takes place in a context of rising transphobia, with inflammatory rhetoric and discrimination against trans people becoming more common. 

 

Despite the documentary's challenges, the personal stories shared by Zach, Aléa, and Emma are essential for fostering greater understanding of transgender experiences. Each of them hopes their participation will serve as a form of education. As Aléa explains, “People forget that we are human beings. Some view us almost as objects or creatures from another world, and they feel entitled to attack us. Some still need to realize that they have no right to harm us, even if they don't understand who we are and what we go through.” Zach, too, stresses the importance of visibility, acknowledging that before he understood what trans identity meant, he was lost. “Thanks to the increased visibility of this issue, I realized what it was. Not talking about it would be denying reality,” he says. Emma, echoing this sentiment, believes that communicating about trans issues is vital: “It’s a human subject, and it’s something we must talk about, not hide.” For Delphine Cinier, the director, creating this documentary was a learning process. Admitting her initial ignorance of transgender issues, she recognized the potential to make mistakes when discussing the topic. Nevertheless, the project, which was suggested by Karine Le Marchand in 2019, allowed Cinier to engage with the lives of the transgender individuals involved and understand their realities without resorting to caricature. 

 

One of the most striking challenges in the production of the documentary was the reluctance of some individuals to engage with the topic of transgender identity. For example, Cinier’s longtime collaborator, a film editor, refused to work with her on this project, expressing discomfort with the subject matter. This reluctance underscores the broader societal discomfort surrounding transgender issues, highlighting how deeply ingrained transphobia can be. Ultimately, the documentary raises crucial questions about how society views transgender individuals and their rights. As Aëla notes, "We have always existed," pointing out that transgender people are not a recent phenomenon. In many cultures, such as in pre-colonial civilizations and indigenous societies, gender diversity was recognized and accepted. Acknowledging this history is crucial to understanding that transgender people are part of the broader human experience and have always been present. In conclusion, "Trans, Uniques en leur Genre" offers an intimate look into the lives of three individuals navigating the complex and often painful journey of transitioning. While the documentary sparks important debates, particularly around the representation of trans people and the legal recognition of their identities, it also contributes to the ongoing conversation about gender identity. For many viewers, it is a step toward greater empathy and understanding, offering a chance to see the humanity behind the labels and stereotypes.

 

via: dailymotion

dna.fr
20minutes.fr

Image credits: DailyMotion