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: James Rasin
Release Year: 2010
Synopsis:
"Beautiful Darling" (2010), a feature-length documentary directed by James Rasin, is a heartfelt exploration of the life and legacy of Candy Darling, one of the most iconic figures in the New York City avant-garde scene of the 1960s and 70s. Darling, a pioneering trans woman and actress, became an emblematic muse of Andy Warhol's Factory, capturing the fascination of both the art world and pop culture. Rasin’s film is a deeply personal and poignant portrayal of Darling’s short but extraordinary life, as well as an examination of her complex identity as a trans woman navigating the turbulent cultural landscape of the 20th century.
The documentary begins by examining the early years of Darling's life, born James Lawrence Slattery in Long Island, New York, in 1944. From a young age, Darling exhibited an undeniable longing to escape the limitations of her assigned gender and embrace her identity as a woman. The film poignantly highlights how Candy transformed herself into an unforgettable persona, driven by a dream to live as the glamorous women she admired in Hollywood films. The documentary makes clear that Darling’s journey was not without struggle, but her ambition, charisma, and striking beauty propelled her into the orbit of Warhol and his Factory, where she would rise to fame as one of his most beloved superstars.
2010,
Candy Darling,
English,
Holly Woodlawn,
Jackie Curtis,
Jayne County,
USA,
Director: Craig Highberger
Release Year: 2004
Synopsis:
Superstar in a Housedress (2004) is a captivating documentary film directed by Craig Highberger that delves into the complex and compelling life of Jackie Curtis, an artist whose work and persona left a lasting impact on the underground theater scene and the broader cultural landscape of the 1960s and 1970s. Curtis, who rose to prominence as one of Andy Warhol’s superstars, was known for her provocative performances, boundary-pushing plays, and gender-fluid identity. The film not only serves as a tribute to Curtis’s artistic legacy but also sheds light on the influential role she played in the queer avant-garde movement. In addition to the documentary, Highberger also wrote a biography of the same name, published in 2005, further cementing Curtis's place in the annals of queer history and underground art.
Born as John Curtis Holder Jr. in New York City on February 19, 1947, Jackie Curtis was a visionary artist whose works blurred the lines between gender, performance, and identity. Raised in the East Village, Curtis was steeped in the bohemian arts scene from an early age. After performing in the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club’s 1965 production Miss Nefertiti Regrets alongside Bette Midler, Curtis quickly became known for her ability to embody both male and female personas on stage.
2004,
English,
Holly Woodlawn,
Jackie Curtis,
USA,
Directors: Bill Weber and David Weissman
Release Year: 2002
Synopsis:
The 2002 documentary The Cockettes, directed by Bill Weber and David Weissman, offers a captivating, nostalgic, and poignant look at one of the most important avant-garde performance groups in the history of San Francisco’s countercultural scene. With their flamboyant costumes, gender-bending antics, and anarchic performances, The Cockettes were not just a drag troupe—they were a living, breathing embodiment of 1960s and 1970s sexual liberation, psychedelic experimentation, and artistic rebellion. Through interviews with surviving members, archival footage, and reflections on the group's rise and fall, The Cockettes documentary paints a vivid picture of their wild performances, the cultural climate they emerged from, and the lasting impact of their work on both the queer community and mainstream pop culture.
In the fall of 1969, a group of young artists living in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district formed the nucleus of what would become The Cockettes. Led by Hibiscus (born George Edgerly Harris III), a flamboyant artist, and inspired by the freewheeling spirit of the hippie movement, The Cockettes embodied a radical vision of performance that defied the traditional boundaries of gender, sexuality, and theater. Hibiscus, a lover of drag, and other members of the troupe sought to put their "outlandish" lifestyles on display as a form of artistic expression. They created impromptu, experimental performances that often included surreal, improvised musical numbers, an array of bizarre costumes, and a complete disregard for conventional theatrical structures.
2002,
Candy Darling,
English,
Holly Woodlawn,
Jackie Curtis,
USA,
