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: Mino Loy
Release Year: 1963
Synopsis:
In 1963, Italian filmmaker Mino Loy created 90 Notti in Giro per il Mondo, a documentary that was as much a celebration of the erotic arts as it was a subtle commentary on the societal challenges faced by transgender women. The film, whose title translates to "90 Nights Around the World," serves as a wide-reaching exploration of the world of burlesque, erotic arts, and performance cultures, including an intimate portrait of the legendary transgender performer Marie-Pierre Pruvot, also known as Bambi.
90 Notti in Giro per il Mondo is an engaging and evocative documentary, capturing a period of time when transgender performers were beginning to gain international recognition within cabaret and revue shows, particularly in Paris. The film documents not only the glamorous world of burlesque and striptease but also the emotional and social complexities surrounding performers who, at the time, navigated the challenges of identity, acceptance, and public perception.
1963,
Bambi,
Italian,
Marie-Pierre Pruvot,
Monika Kowalska,
Director: Josée Dayan
Release Year: 2008
Synopsis:
"Nous n'irons plus au bois" (2008), a documentary by Josée Dayan, stands as one of the most insightful and compassionate portrayals of the transgender community in France. Focusing on the personal stories of several prominent transgender women, the film provides an unflinching look at their struggles, triumphs, and the societal challenges they face. Through candid interviews, Dayan offers a space for these women to speak about their experiences, weaving a narrative that is free from judgment and sensationalism, which often cloud public discourse on gender identity.
The title of the documentary, which translates to "We Will No Longer Go to the Woods," evokes a sense of quiet defiance and hope, suggesting that the community no longer needs to retreat into the shadows of society. This concept is explored through the stories of figures such as Pascale Ourbih, Marie-Pier Ysser (Marie-Pierre Pruvot), Andréa Colliaux, and others, each of whom represents a different facet of the transgender experience in France.
2008,
Andréa Colliaux,
Bambi,
Claire Carthonnet,
French,
Marie-Pierre Pruvot,
Monika Kowalska,
Pascale Ourbih,
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,
Producer: Michiel van Erp
Release Year: 2011
Synopsis:
"I Am a Woman Now," a 2011 documentary directed by Michiel van Erp, offers a poignant and powerful exploration of the lives of five women who underwent sex reassignment surgery in the 1950s and 1960s. These women, who sought gender confirmation treatment from Dr. Georges Burou in Casablanca, Morocco, represent the first generation of transgender individuals to undergo what was then a revolutionary medical procedure.
Through intimate interviews, the film examines their personal journeys, both before and after their surgeries, and explores the difficult realities that followed their transformative experiences. The film's title, "I Am a Woman Now", reflects both the fulfillment and the challenges these women face in their quest for identity and acceptance, as well as the emotional, physical, and societal obstacles that continue to shape their lives.
2011,
April Ashley,
Colette Berends,
Corinne van Tongerloo,
English,
Georges Burou,
Jean Lessenich,
Marie-Pierre Pruvot,
Monika Kowalska,
