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: Shirly Berkovitz
Release Year: 2014
Synopsis:
Shirly Berkovitz’s documentary, The Good Son, presents a powerful and evocative exploration of identity, family dynamics, and the courage it takes to live one's truth. The film chronicles the journey of a 22-year-old individual, Or, who navigates the complex terrain of gender identity and familial relationships in a conservative environment. By financing a sex change operation in Thailand while deceiving her parents, Or embarks on a profound transformation that challenges both her own identity and her family's understanding of love and acceptance.
The Good Son begins with Or living a double life, bound by the expectations and beliefs of her conservative family. She initially presents herself as a son, conforming to her parents' views and societal norms. However, the internal struggle grows unbearable, leading Or to make the life-altering decision to transition. With a mix of determination and fear, she raises the funds for the procedure in Thailand, a country known for its gender-affirming surgeries.
This choice marks the beginning of a transformative journey that is not just physical but deeply emotional. The film captures Or’s anticipation and anxiety as she prepares for the surgery, underscoring the stakes involved. The operation is not merely a personal goal; it symbolizes her quest for authenticity in a world that often resists such truths.
Director: Tomer Heymann
Release Year: 2006
Synopsis:
Paper Dolls (2006) is a deeply moving and multifaceted documentary by Israeli director Tomer Heymann that brings to the forefront the lives of transgender Filipino migrant workers in Israel. These workers, who have come to the country to provide healthcare for elderly Orthodox Jewish men, lead lives marked by profound contrasts—facing societal marginalization while also finding a space of freedom and expression as performers in the drag queen group "Paper Dolls." Their story unfolds as a tale of resilience, struggle for acceptance, and the search for belonging in an often hostile world.
The documentary focuses on five transgender Filipino women who navigate life in Israel, where they perform as caregivers in a setting shaped by strict religious and cultural norms. In the Jewish Orthodox community, religious laws prohibit women from physically touching men who are not their husbands or close relatives. As a result, many elderly Jewish men rely on foreign male caregivers, often from countries like the Philippines, where people seek work abroad to support their families back home. These transgender women, each in different stages of gender transition, find themselves caught in a paradox: although they must present as men to fulfill the cultural and religious expectations of their clients, they are, in fact, women, living outside the gender binary. During their free time, they live out their feminine identities in public as part of the drag troupe “Paper Dolls,” performing in clubs in Tel Aviv.
