A random collection of films authored by or about my transgender, intersex sisters, and gender-nonconforming persons all over the world. I watched some of them, and I was inspired by some of them. I met some of the authors and heroines, some of them are my best friends, and I had the pleasure and honor of interviewing some of them. If you know of any transgender documentary that I have not covered yet, please let me know.
Director: Miles Christian Daniels
Release Year: 2004
Synopsis:
"Dixie Queen," directed by Miles Christian Daniels, is a vibrant and thought-provoking documentary that offers an intimate glimpse into the life of Tara Nicole, a drag queen hailing from Wilmington, North Carolina. The film explores the complexities of her identity as a performer, as well as the cultural dynamics of growing up gay in the South. Through engaging interviews, stunning drag performances, and candid reflections, "Dixie Queen" reveals the challenges and triumphs faced by Southern drag queens, providing a nuanced perspective on gay life and culture in a region often associated with conservative values.
At the center of "Dixie Queen" is Tara Nicole, a self-proclaimed "Bitch Goddess of the Port City." Tara's journey from a small-town farm boy to a celebrated drag performer is both inspiring and relatable. The documentary chronicles her transformation, delving into her early experiences growing up in a rural environment where societal norms often dictate rigid gender roles.
Tara's story is emblematic of many LGBTQ+ individuals who grapple with their identities in less accepting spaces. Daniels captures the essence of Tara's character, showcasing her humor, resilience, and determination to express herself fully through the art of drag. Through Tara, viewers are introduced to the broader world of Southern drag culture, which is characterized by both flamboyance and the harsh realities of life in a region where homophobia can be prevalent.
2004,
Drag Queen,
English,
Tara Nicole,
USA,
Director: Alain Godet
Release Year: 2004
Translation: Sex Change: How Christian Became Nadia
Synopsis:
The documentary Sex Change: Wie Christian zu Nadia wurde (2004), directed by Alain Godet, is an intimate and poignant exploration of a person’s transition from man to woman. The subject of this transformative journey is Christian Brönimann, who, after undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 1998, re-emerged as Nadia Brönimann. Over the course of eight years, Godet meticulously followed Nadia’s journey, capturing moments of personal growth, crises, and the search for identity, love, and acceptance. Through this film, viewers are given rare insight into the challenges and complexities that accompany gender transition, beyond just the physical changes, and into the emotional and psychological struggles that shape the human experience.
Christian Brönimann’s story is one of self-discovery and self-representation. Growing up in the small Swiss village of Heiden, Christian was raised in a middle-class, bourgeois family. His father was a director, and the family’s social circle was largely conventional and conservative. Christian's early life is marked by a sense of alienation from traditional gender roles. From a young age, he gravitated more toward the company of girls than boys and secretly wore his mother's clothes. These early experiences suggest that Christian was already beginning to feel a disconnect between his inner sense of self and the gender role imposed upon him by society.
2004,
German,
Nadia Brönimann,
Switzerland,
Director: Lina Cascella & Cinzia Sarto
Release Year: 2004
Synopsis:
Femmina Per Grazia Ricevuta (2004), directed by Lina Cascella and Cinzia Sarto, is an intimate and poignant documentary that captures the journey of Sara Carbone, a transgender woman who courageously confronts the complex and often painful realities of gender identity, discrimination, and societal rejection. The title, roughly translated as "Female by Grace Received," alludes to both the grace and the struggle that come with Sara's transformation and the societal forces that push against her as she seeks recognition and acceptance in a world that refuses to understand or accommodate her.
The documentary stands out not only for its exploration of transgender identity but also for the deeply human story it tells—one of resilience in the face of immense personal and societal obstacles. Through the lens of Sara Carbone’s life, Femmina Per Grazia Ricevuta offers a broader reflection on gender, identity, and the fight for the right to exist authentically in a world that demands conformity. The film was praised for its raw, unsentimental portrayal of Sara’s life and for its unflinching exploration of the difficulties transgender people often face, particularly in terms of social marginalization, personal relationships, and bureaucratic barriers.
2004,
Italian,
Italy,
Sara Carbone,
Directors: Eric Lim & Suresh Menon
Release Year: 2004
Synopsis:
The 2004 documentary Hidden Genders, directed by Eric Lim and Suresh Menon, explores the complex and multifaceted experiences of transgender individuals, with a particular focus on the struggles, triumphs, and identities of Thailand's transgender community, especially in the context of sports. One of the most compelling figures featured in the documentary is Parinya Charoenphol, better known by her ring name Nong Toom (น้องตุ้ม). A trailblazer in the world of Muay Thai, Nong Toom became a symbol of defiance, resilience, and self-expression as a transgender woman in a traditional and often conservative society.
Parinya Charoenphol’s life story is one of extraordinary resilience, and it offers a window into the complex interplay between gender identity, poverty, and personal empowerment. Born into a family of nomads in northern Thailand’s Chiang Mai province, Parinya’s early years were marked by hardship. Her parents worked as caretakers for an orchard, unaware that the orchard's owners were involved in illegal activities, including logging and smuggling. When the authorities discovered the operation, they took advantage of the situation and falsely imprisoned Charoenphol’s mother, despite her innocence. After her mother’s release following a three-month sentence, Parinya, at the age of 12, was sent to a Buddhist temple to ordain as a novice monk, a common practice in Thailand.
However, at age 12, Charoenphol left the monastery after being expelled for skipping classes in an attempt to earn money to support her struggling family. This marks the beginning of Parinya's defiance against traditional gender expectations—an act that would define her future path.
2004,
English,
Nong Toom,
Director: Karen Duthie
Release Year: 2004
Synopsis:
“It’s not about the bike. It’s about me being a woman in a man’s sport.” This statement from Michelle Dumaresq captures the essence of 100% Woman: The Story of Michelle Dumaresq (2004), a documentary by Karen Duthie that chronicles the journey of one of the most pioneering transgender athletes in the world of competitive sports. The film provides an intimate look into Michelle’s life, both as a professional downhill mountain biker and as a trans woman, navigating the complexities of identity, gender, and competition in the public eye.
Michelle Dumaresq’s story is one of remarkable courage and resilience. After undergoing gender reassignment surgery, Michelle entered the world of competitive mountain biking in 2001, six years after transitioning from Michael to Michelle. She quickly made a name for herself in the world of sports, but not just because of her impressive riding talent. Michelle’s participation in women’s competitive biking sparked fierce debate, controversy, and protests. She became the first openly transgender woman to compete in women’s professional mountain biking, an experience that would test not only her athletic abilities but also the definition of gender and fairness in sports.
2004,
Canada,
English,
Michelle Dumaresq,
Director: Sylvie Levey and Pascal Vasselin
Release Year: 2004
Original title: L'étrange destin du colonel Jin Xing
Synopsis:
"L'étrange destin du colonel Jin Xing" (2004), a documentary by Sylvie Levey and Pascal Vasselin, delves into the life of one of China's most unique and trailblazing figures, Jin Xing. A renowned ballerina, modern dancer, choreographer, and actress, Jin Xing's life story is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the courage to challenge societal norms. From her early years in China to her transition as a transgender woman and her rise as a cultural icon, the documentary offers an intimate portrayal of a woman who has defied conventions in both the worlds of dance and gender.
Born in 1967 in Shenyang, China, to an ethnic Korean family, Jin Xing showed an early aptitude for the arts. Her mother was a translator, and her father served as a military intelligence officer. Raised in a family that valued intellectual prowess and discipline, Jin was encouraged to excel academically. However, her passion for dance became apparent at a young age.
At just 9 years old, Jin Xing joined the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), where she received both military and dance training as part of a troupe affiliated with the Shenyang Military Region. By the time she turned 12, Jin had transferred to the prestigious People's Liberation Army Art Academy, where she honed her craft in classical dance. After graduating in 1984, she returned to the military dance troupe and was promoted to the rank of colonel—a rare achievement for a dancer, particularly a woman, in China at the time.
Jin’s discipline and dedication were evident in her performances, and her talent soon gained national attention. Her victory in a national dance competition, where she performed a Central Asian ethnic dance piece, further cemented her status as a rising star in China’s dance scene.
2004,
China,
French,
Jin Xing,
Director: Craig Highberger
Release Year: 2004
Synopsis:
Superstar in a Housedress (2004) is a captivating documentary film directed by Craig Highberger that delves into the complex and compelling life of Jackie Curtis, an artist whose work and persona left a lasting impact on the underground theater scene and the broader cultural landscape of the 1960s and 1970s. Curtis, who rose to prominence as one of Andy Warhol’s superstars, was known for her provocative performances, boundary-pushing plays, and gender-fluid identity. The film not only serves as a tribute to Curtis’s artistic legacy but also sheds light on the influential role she played in the queer avant-garde movement. In addition to the documentary, Highberger also wrote a biography of the same name, published in 2005, further cementing Curtis's place in the annals of queer history and underground art.
Born as John Curtis Holder Jr. in New York City on February 19, 1947, Jackie Curtis was a visionary artist whose works blurred the lines between gender, performance, and identity. Raised in the East Village, Curtis was steeped in the bohemian arts scene from an early age. After performing in the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club’s 1965 production Miss Nefertiti Regrets alongside Bette Midler, Curtis quickly became known for her ability to embody both male and female personas on stage.
2004,
English,
Holly Woodlawn,
Jackie Curtis,
USA,
Director: Marlon Singleton
Release Year: 2004
Synopsis:
Released in 2004, Have No Fear is a documentary that captures the life and legacy of Nicole McRory, a transgender cabaret host, singer, and entertainer based in San Francisco. The film provides an intimate portrait of a woman who, despite facing overwhelming challenges, defied societal expectations and forged a vibrant career that became an essential part of the Bay Area nightlife scene. Through humor, music, and raw honesty, Nicole’s story serves as a testament to resilience, individuality, and the refusal to be silenced, even in the face of death.
Nicole McRory, born Colin McRory in Hartford, Connecticut, had always felt like an outsider. From a young age, she recognized that something about her body didn’t align with her inner identity. Early memories—such as observing her mother’s naked body and thinking, “I want that”—foreshadowed a lifelong struggle with gender dysphoria. Growing up as a straight male, Nicole felt detached from her assigned gender and engaged in cross-dressing, which she later described as a way to feel more "like a lady." Though she was married twice—one marriage a disaster, the other a blissful experience—her journey to discovering her true self would only begin in earnest later in life.
2004,
English,
Nicole McRory,
USA,
