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: Larry Tung
Release Year: 2008
Full title: Envisioning Justice: The Journey of a Transgendered Woman
Synopsis:
Larry Tung's documentary Envisioning Justice: The Journey of a Transgendered Woman offers a compelling and intimate portrait of Pauline Park, a transgender activist and artist whose journey from her early life in Korea to her experiences in the United States reveals the complexities of identity, belonging, and resilience. The film not only chronicles Park's personal transformation but also sheds light on broader social issues, including adoption, race, and the challenges faced by transgender individuals in contemporary society.
Pauline Park’s story begins with her birth in Korea, where she was adopted by European American parents and brought to the United States. This transnational adoption set the stage for a multifaceted identity shaped by cultural differences and the complexities of being both a person of color and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. As the film unfolds, viewers gain insight into Park’s early experiences, highlighting the tensions between her Korean heritage and her American upbringing.
In the summer of 2006, Park and filmmaker Larry Tung return to Milwaukee, the city where she grew up. This journey back to her childhood home serves as a pivotal moment in the documentary, as it allows Park to confront her past, revisiting not only her family home but also the schools she attended. These locations serve as physical markers of her formative years, evoking a range of memories and emotions that shape her narrative.
2008,
English,
Monika Kowalska,
Pauline Park,
Director: Jamerry Kim
Release Year: 2012
Synopsis:
In the world of human rights activism and transgender advocacy, few figures stand out with as much determination and impact as Pauline Park. A transgender woman, Korean-American adoptee, and prominent activist, Pauline Park’s journey through life has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her work spans various areas of social justice, from LGBTQ+ rights to transgender inclusion, and her story is one of both personal transformation and public advocacy. The 2012 documentary Who Is Pauline Park?, directed by Jamerry Kim, gives an intimate look into Park's life, shedding light on the struggles, triumphs, and emotional complexities that have shaped her as an individual and as a tireless fighter for human rights.
Pauline Park’s story begins in Korea, where she was born in 1960. She was adopted at a young age by European American parents, a decision that would define much of her life’s trajectory. Raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Park grew up in a predominantly German and Polish Catholic neighborhood, an environment that often contrasted with her own sense of self. She recalls the unique cultural experience of growing up with a mix of Korean heritage and European American influences, humorously noting how her upbringing involved a fusion of culinary traditions, including kielbasa, sauerkraut, and what she refers to as "a bland, non-spicy German version of kimchi."
Her early years were marked by the struggle to reconcile her identity as a Korean-American adoptee with the expectations of the largely white community she was raised in. As a child, she was faced with the emotional complexity of being both "other" in a foreign land and also part of a family that, while loving, did not fully understand her cultural background. These experiences would later become key elements in her advocacy for marginalized communities.
2012,
English,
Monika Kowalska,
Pauline Park,
USA,
