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: Sohini Dasgupta
Release Year: 2005
Synopsis:
In a world that often marginalizes those who don't conform to societal norms, "I Could Not Be Your Son, Mom" emerges as a poignant exploration of gender identity, resilience, and the quest for acceptance. Directed by Sohini Dasgupta, this documentary centers on Tista Das, a transgender woman navigating the turbulent waters of her gender identity within a society that frequently upholds rigid gender binaries. The film, brief yet powerful, encapsulates Tista's journey and reflects broader themes of personal struggle against societal expectations.
Tista Das, whose journey is at the heart of this documentary, embodies the struggles of many individuals facing Gender Identity Disorder (GID). Her story unfolds through a series of heartfelt interviews, culminating in a compelling narrative that speaks to the intersection of identity, family, and societal rejection. From childhood, Tista experienced a disconnect between her gender identity and the body she was born into, a reality that many transgender individuals can relate to. Her longing to align her physical self with her true identity is both a deeply personal and universal aspiration.
2005,
English,
Monika Kowalska,
Tista Das,
Created by: Jeremy Simmons
Release Year: 2005
Synopsis:
TransGeneration is a landmark 2005 American documentary-style reality television series that offers a candid and intimate look into the lives of four transgender college students navigating their academic, social, and personal experiences during the 2004–2005 academic year. Through its portrayal of the diverse challenges and triumphs of these students, the series provides both a personal and political lens on the transgender experience, especially in the context of higher education. Created by Jeremy Simmons and produced by World of Wonder, TransGeneration is a raw, insightful, and at times challenging series that explores the intersection of identity, education, and the complexities of gender transition.
The show’s narrative is structured around four main protagonists—two transgender women and two transgender men—who are each at different stages of their academic careers, with each attending a different university in the United States. Their stories unfold over eight episodes, showcasing the varied aspects of their lives as they juggle the pressures of their academic programs, familial dynamics, and personal transitions. The series offers a profound portrayal of these students’ experiences, providing both an educational resource and a platform for greater visibility for transgender individuals.
2005,
Andrea Gabrielle Gibson,
English,
Marci Bowers,
USA,
Director: Walter Stokman
Release Year: 2005
Synopsis:
In 2005, the documentary Based on a True Story directed by Walter Stokman explored one of the most bizarre and tragic events in New York City history—the attempted bank robbery carried out by John Wojtowicz in 1972, which later became the subject of the 1975 Sidney Lumet film Dog Day Afternoon. Central to this real-life crime drama was Elizabeth Debbie Eden (born Ernest Aron), a transgender woman whose complicated relationship with Wojtowicz and her struggle to secure gender-affirming surgery provided the backdrop to a story that would be immortalized in Hollywood. Eden's story, though often overshadowed by the larger narrative of the bank robbery, is one of resilience, tragedy, and an enduring cultural legacy.
Elizabeth Debbie Eden, born Ernest Aron on August 19, 1946, in Ozone Park, Queens, was a Jewish American woman whose life was marked by a series of profound transitions. Eden’s early life was one of internal conflict, as she struggled with gender dysphoria at a time when society had little understanding or tolerance for transgender individuals. While the details of her early life remain largely private, it is known that she sought medical transition to align her physical appearance with her gender identity, which was then referred to as "sex reassignment surgery" (SRS).
In the early 1970s, Eden met John Wojtowicz, a man whose life would become inextricably linked with her own in ways neither could have foreseen. The two met at the Feast of San Gennaro in New York City in 1971. Despite their contrasting personalities—Wojtowicz being a brash, impulsive figure and Eden an introverted woman undergoing the most significant transformation of her life—the two formed a relationship. They married in a public ceremony that same year, a marriage that was covered by the media, including a segment on CBS Evening News hosted by Walter Cronkite.
2005,
Elizabeth Eden,
English,
USA,
Producer: Janine Cohen
Release Year: 2005
Synopsis:
The Gender Puzzle, a 2005 documentary directed by Janine Cohen, brings to light the intricate and often misunderstood relationship between biological sex, gender identity, and the social constructs that shape our understanding of these concepts. In the film, Cohen explores the challenges that arise from the increasing complexity of determining gender, especially in the face of scientific advances and growing recognition of intersex and transgender individuals. The documentary delves into the intersection of biology, psychology, and social identity, shedding light on the lived experiences of people who challenge traditional notions of gender.
For much of the 20th century, the understanding of gender was predominantly rooted in the assumption that biological sex could be determined by the presence of either XX or XY sex chromosomes. These chromosomes were considered reliable markers for identifying a person's sex, with XX chromosomes corresponding to females and XY chromosomes to males. However, The Gender Puzzle reveals that this binary view of sex and gender is increasingly inadequate.
According to the documentary, approximately 40,000 Australians (and a similar number globally) do not conform to these "standard" sex chromosome patterns. Some individuals are born with atypical chromosomal configurations, such as XXY, XYY, or variations in the number of sex chromosomes, which means they may not fit neatly into the male/female binary. This phenomenon is part of a larger issue in which one in 500 boys are born with XY chromosomes but may have female reproductive organs, a situation that often goes unnoticed until adulthood when fertility issues arise.
2005,
Australia,
English,
Director: Antony Thomas
Release Year: 2005
Synopsis:
Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She (2005), directed by Antony Thomas, is a provocative documentary that delves into the complexities of gender and sex, offering a nuanced exploration of what it means to be male, female, or something in between. Through personal stories, scientific explanations, and cultural perspectives, the film challenges the traditional binary understanding of sex and gender, highlighting the lived experiences of transgender and intersex individuals. The documentary examines a range of issues, from the murder of transgender women to the medical and social implications of gender identity, all framed within the larger questions of how sex and gender are constructed.
The documentary opens with scenes from a nightclub where transgender women, some of whom are dancers, perform for a crowd. This sets the tone for the exploration of the transgender experience and the stark reality of the dangers faced by people who don't conform to traditional gender norms. The film then shifts to the tragic story of Gwen Araujo, a 17-year-old transgender woman who was brutally murdered by several acquaintances after they discovered that she had been assigned male at birth. The case is a heartbreaking example of the violence that transgender people can face, even when they have intimate relationships with those around them. The brutality of the crime serves as a sobering reminder of the societal rejection and violent backlash that gender nonconforming individuals often experience.
2005,
Andrea James,
Calpernia Addams,
English,
Joan Roughgarden,
Monika Kowalska,
USA,
Director: Pierre-Yves Dodat (iTélé)
Release Year: 2005
Synopsis:
The report was produced by journalist Pierre-Yves Dodat who focused on the visibility and integrity of transgender persons. It was produced during the summer meetings of Universités d'Eté Euroméditerranéennes des Homosexualités in 2005. An interesting document in several ways, it provides a special look on the questions of transgenderism, showing different hues of the community, as well as their values and intentions.
The transgender people describe their views on the discrimination and hatred they have to face due to their transgender status.
Trailer: (missing)
(Helene Hazera),
(Karine Espineira),
(Pascale Ourbih),
2005,
Directors: Victor Silverman and Susan Stryker
Release Year: 2005
Synopsis:
"The Compton's Cafeteria Riot occurred in August 1966 in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. This incident was one of the first recorded transgender riots in United States history, preceding the more famous 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City."
"Susan Stryker and company put some significant effort into the telling of this story. And it is a story that needed to be told because it was a significant victory for the community. This event "The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria" predated the infamous Stonewall riot and it got very little press. Both of those riots had a huge Transgender presence despite the notion that Stonewall was about Gay rights."
(Aleshia Brevard),
(Amanda St Jaymes),
(Felicia Flames),
(Susan Stryker),
2005,
