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: Ulysse del Drago and Sofiane Belaid
Release Year: 2003
Synopsis:
"Mari," directed by Ulysse del Drago and Sofiane Belaid, is a poignant and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on the complex and often painful journey of a transgender woman in Cuba. Through the eyes of Mari, the film provides an intimate portrayal of her struggles, triumphs, and the harsh realities of living in a society that is frequently unaccepting of those who defy traditional gender norms. This powerful documentary not only highlights Mari's personal narrative but also serves as a broader commentary on the systemic issues faced by transgender individuals in Cuba.
At the heart of the documentary is Mari herself, a woman trapped in a man's body, who bravely shares her life story. From the outset, viewers are drawn into Mari's world as she candidly discusses the challenges she faces. Her narrative is not just about her gender identity; it encompasses a spectrum of emotional and physical hardships that have shaped her existence.
Director: Marilyn Solaya
Release Year: 2010
Original title: En el cuerpo equivocado
Synopsis:
En el cuerpo equivocado (2010), a documentary directed by Marilyn Solaya, offers a poignant and deeply insightful look into the life of Mavi Susel, a Cuban woman who became the first transgender person in Cuba to undergo sex reassignment surgery in 1988. The film, which premiered in Cuban theaters in 2010, presents Mavi's journey of self-discovery, societal rejection, and eventual acceptance, all while exploring larger issues of gender identity, patriarchy, and the Cuban social landscape.
The film tells the story of Mavi Susel not just as a personal narrative of transition, but as a critical commentary on Cuba’s societal expectations of women. Mavi's transformation is marked by the groundbreaking surgery she underwent at the hands of Cuban medical professionals, an event that had a profound impact on Cuban society at the time. The operation, which occurred on May 22, 1988, made Mavi Susel the first person in Cuba to receive a sex reassignment surgery. The attention this garnered in the media was not entirely positive, and the public response was so negative that it led to a hiatus of nearly 20 years before sex reassignment surgeries would again be made available in the country. The initial backlash came after the Cuban newspaper Juventud Rebelde published an extensive report on Mavi’s surgery, sparking controversy and pushing the Cuban government to halt similar procedures for nearly two decades.
2010,
Cuba,
Mavi Susel,
Spanish,