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: Bruce Bruce
Release Year: 2013
Original title: Vos papiers
Synopsis:
The documentary Vos papiers (2013), also known as ID Please, directed by Bruce Bruce, takes an intimate and poignant look at the lives of seven transgender individuals. Through a unique and compelling format, the film explores the often fraught and painful relationship that transgender people have with their identity papers—those official documents that are meant to represent who we are, but which for many trans people can feel like an alienating reflection of their past, not their present or future. This powerful film, presented at various film festivals around the world, invites viewers to confront the everyday challenges faced by transgender individuals as they navigate the bureaucratic maze of gender identity, legal recognition, and personal authenticity.
At the heart of Vos papiers is a series of candid photo booth portraits, where seven transgender individuals—both transgender men and women—speak openly about their struggles with identity documents. These photo booth images, often seen as a symbol of casual, anonymous documentation, become an unexpected medium for the deeply personal subject matter of gender identity.
Director: Sébastien Lifshitz
Release Year: 2013
Synopsis:
Released in 2013, Bambi is a French documentary directed by Sébastien Lifshitz that chronicles the extraordinary life of Marie-Pierre Pruvot, a trailblazing transgender woman who performed for over 20 years in Paris's famous cabaret, Le Carrousel. Known by her stage name, Bambi, Pruvot's career in the world of trans showgirls during the 1950s and 1960s made her an iconic figure, both for her performances and as a symbol of transgender visibility in an era when such stories were rarely told.
Beyond her stage career, Bambi also sheds light on Pruvot's transition from a celebrated entertainer to a respected educator and author.
In a world where transgender lives are often obscured by stereotypes or misrepresentation, Bambi serves as an intimate portrait of a woman who defied the norms of her time to forge a path that was both groundbreaking and personal. Through candid interviews and archival footage, Lifshitz gives viewers a poignant look into Pruvot's journey, her reflections on gender identity, and her transition from a performer to a high school teacher. The documentary not only explores Pruvot's professional trajectory but also touches upon broader themes of transgender identity, societal acceptance, and the struggle for self-realization.
2013,
Bambi,
France,
French,
Marie-Pierre Pruvot,
Monika Kowalska,
Director: Sebastiano d’Ayala Valva
Release Year: 2006
Original title: Les travestis pleurent aussi
Synopsis:
In the heart of Paris, tucked away in a narrow side street near the bustling Place de Clichy, there exists a hidden world—a world of darkness, vulnerability, and resilience. This is where the lives of marginalized Ecuadorian trans women unfold in Sebastiano d’Ayala Valva’s poignant 2006 documentary, Les Travestis Pleurent Aussi (Transvestites Also Cry). The film takes us behind the doors of seedy hotels, beneath the glitz of Parisian landmarks, and into the lives of trans sex workers who live on the fringes of society. What d'Ayala Valva captures is not just the pain of these individuals, but also their strength, humor, and unyielding desire for a better life.
The documentary centers on two Ecuadorian trans women, Romina and Mia, who live and work in the Bois de Boulogne, Paris’ notorious park where many transgender women engage in sex work. As illegal immigrants, they are forced into a life of exploitation, navigating both the challenges of their marginalized gender identities and the harsh realities of their status as undocumented migrants in France.
The narrative unfolds in two small, dingy hotels located in a back alley, a stone’s throw away from the popular tourist destinations of Place de Clichy. These hotels, with their dilapidated interiors, provide a temporary refuge for the women who work the streets of Paris. Their faces are etched with hardship, their lives deeply affected by the stigma of their profession and their gender identities. Yet, through d'Ayala Valva's lens, these spaces also become places where their stories of joy, sorrow, and survival are told.
2006,
Angel,
Ecuador,
France,
Spanish,
Director: Pierre-Yves Dodat (iTélé)
Release Year: 2005
Synopsis:
In 2005, a critical moment in the visibility of transgender communities in Europe occurred during the Universités d'Été Euroméditerranéennes des Homosexualités (UEEH). This annual event, dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights and community-building, became a vital space for discussing issues of gender, sexuality, and societal inclusion. Among the most significant works emerging from this edition was the documentary "La Visibilité des Trans aux UEEX" (2012) by Pierre-Yves Dodat. Focused on the voices of transgender individuals and their experiences within a politically and socially complex environment, the film offers a nuanced and multifaceted look at the state of transgender visibility and activism in the early 2000s.
Dodat's film captures the energy and the struggles of the transgender community, showcasing individuals who, despite facing significant discrimination and prejudice, continue to push for recognition, equality, and social change. The documentary highlights key moments during the summer meetings of the UEEH 2005, providing insights into the discussions, workshops, and performances that surrounded the topic of transgender identities, as well as the intersecting issues of health, rights, and cultural representation.
2005,
France,
French,
Helene Hazera,
Karine Espineira,
Monika Kowalska,
Pascale Ourbih,
