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: Matthew Barbato
Release Year: 2007
Synopsis:
Alexis Arquette: She's My Brother (2007), directed by Matthew Barbato, is a deeply introspective documentary that captures the volatile, multifaceted journey of Alexis Arquette, the transgender actor and activist, in the months leading up to her sex reassignment surgery. The film is a portrait of an individual in flux—someone grappling with identity, gender, and personal transformation. But it is also a work of artifice, one that, at times, resists offering any clear answers or resolutions to the questions it raises. In essence, it is as much about the process of searching for identity as it is about the identity itself.
The documentary, filmed in 2005, follows Alexis Arquette—a member of the famous Arquette family, which includes actors Patricia, Rosanna, David, and Richmond—as she navigates the final stages of her gender transition. Born Robert Arquette, Alexis had lived as a female "on and off" since the age of 13 but was now preparing for what she described as "the final step" in her gender-affirming process. Through a series of raw, unpolished video diaries, disjointed interviews, and moments of private reflection, Arquette offers the viewer a glimpse into her complex persona, revealing two distinct Alexises: one the playful, narcissistic performer and the other a reflective, even reluctant philosopher confronting the weight of her transition.
2007,
Alexis Arquette,
English,
USA,
Director: Barry Shils
Release Year: 1995
Synopsis:
In 1995, director Barry Shils captured the vibrant, flamboyant world of New York City's annual drag festival in Wigstock: The Movie. The documentary, which provides an insider's look at the 1994 edition of the Wigstock festival, not only showcases the electrifying performances that made the event legendary but also explores the deeper cultural significance of drag and gender expression. As a historical document of an iconic moment in queer culture, Wigstock: The Movie remains a fascinating and essential viewing experience for anyone interested in the intersection of art, identity, and performance.
Wigstock, which began in 1984 as an impromptu drag gathering in the East Village of Manhattan, quickly grew into one of the most celebrated drag festivals in the world. For a decade, it served as both a riotous celebration of queer culture and a vibrant platform for drag artists to showcase their talents. The festival's name, a playful fusion of "wig" (a key drag accessory) and " Woodstock" (the legendary 1969 music festival), encapsulated its ethos of flamboyance, creativity, and freedom of expression.
By the time of the 1994 festival, Wigstock had become a cornerstone of the New York City drag scene, attracting a broad and diverse crowd from across the city and beyond. The event was known for its performances, which blended music, fashion, and irreverence with political subtext, all while maintaining an unapologetically transgressive spirit. Wigstock: The Movie captures this energy, offering a snapshot of a moment in time when drag and queer performance were gaining mainstream visibility but still operated on the fringes of popular culture.
1995,
Alexis Arquette,
Drag Queen,
English,
USA,
