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: Frank Simon
Release Year: 1968
Synopsis:
Released in 1968, The Queen directed by Frank Simon is a pivotal documentary in the history of drag culture, providing a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the world of drag queens in a time when it was still illegal for men to dress as women. This documentary follows the contestants of the 1967 "Miss All-America Camp Beauty Contest," a drag beauty pageant held at the Town and Country Hotel in New York City, and is perhaps most famous for being judged by the iconic Andy Warhol, alongside several other notable figures of the era. The film is more than just a snapshot of a subculture; it is a powerful piece of history that explores issues of gender identity, social norms, and the evolving drag performance scene in the United States.
In 1967, the legal environment for drag queens and LGBTQ+ individuals was markedly oppressive. Across the United States, it was illegal for men to dress in women’s clothing, and drag performances were considered a criminal act in many states.
1968,
Crystal LaBeija,
Dorian Corey,
English,
Flawless Mother Sabrina,
International Chrysis,
Jackie Curtis,
Rachel Harlow,
USA,
Director: Jennie Livingston
Release Year: 1990
Synopsis:
Released in 1990, Paris Is Burning, directed by Jennie Livingston, is widely considered one of the most significant documentaries in the history of queer cinema. The film offers an intimate, multifaceted portrayal of the vibrant and complex ball culture in New York City during the mid-1980s. Through its detailed exploration of the African-American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities that participated in this underground subculture, Paris Is Burning illuminates themes of race, class, gender, and sexuality in a society that often marginalized these communities.
Over the decades since its release, the film has earned critical acclaim for its candid depiction of the resilience, creativity, and humor of its subjects, many of whom faced profound challenges including poverty, homophobia, transphobia, racism, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It also gave rise to broader discussions about the intersection of identity and performance in queer and drag cultures.
1990,
Anji Xtravaganza,
Dorian Corey,
English,
Octavia St. Lauren,
Paris Duprée,
USA,
