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.
Producer: TV4/Polsat
Release Year: 2001
Original title: Gladiatorzy
Synopsis:
The Gladiators (Gladiatorzy) was the first Polish reality show with a transgender participant Dominika Hebdowska. She had been selected from 16 thousand girls eager to compete in the show. The TV show organizers were not aware of her transgender status. She decided to come out during one of the show episodes. Unfortunately, she had to leave the show afterwards.
After the show, her photos appeared in many Polish magazines and newspapers: „Super Express”, „Tina”, „Bravo” and „Marie Clair”. She was not comfortable with her celebrity status. She started dancing but she decided to quit it. She was said to take part in the third season of the Polish edition of Big Brother but eventually, she did not appear in the show. Today Dominika is a successful businesswoman and make-up artist.
Dominika Hebdowska’s journey is a compelling narrative of courage, resilience, and transformation that resonates deeply in today’s discussions surrounding gender identity and acceptance. As the first transgender participant in the Polish reality show Gladiators (Gladiatorzy), Dominika’s story offers a profound exploration of the challenges faced by transgender individuals, the impact of visibility, and the importance of community support.
2001,
Dominika Hebdowska,
Polish,
Director: Karolina Bielawska
Release Year: 2015
Original title: Mów mi Marianna
Synopsis:
"Mów mi Marianna," directed by Karolina Bielawska, is a poignant and intimate documentary that delves into the life of Marianna, a 40-year-old transgender woman navigating the tumultuous waters of identity, family, and love. With an emphasis on personal transformation and the complexities of human relationships, the film offers a raw and honest portrayal of Marianna's journey as she fights for her right to transition while grappling with the emotional fallout from her decisions.
At the heart of the film is Marianna, who stands at a crossroads in her life. As she prepares for a gender confirmation surgery, she confronts not only her external challenges but also her internal struggles. Marianna's decision to sue her parents for the right to transition symbolizes a broader fight for self-identity and acceptance, which resonates with many within the transgender community.
The documentary opens with Marianna reflecting on her past, revealing the deep-rooted alienation she feels from her family, particularly her mother. This rift serves as a central theme throughout the film, highlighting the painful sacrifices often necessary for individuals to live authentically. Marianna’s journey is one of resilience, as she seeks to reclaim her identity in the face of familial rejection.
Directors: Sławomir Grünberg & Katka Reszke
Release Year: 2010
Synopsis:
Released in 2010, Trans-akcja is a deeply intimate and powerful documentary by filmmakers Sławomir Grünberg and Katka Reszke. The film follows Anna Grodzka, a Polish transgender woman, in one of the most crucial moments of her life: her legal gender change. Through candid footage and sensitive storytelling, the documentary captures Grodzka’s emotional, physical, and social transition, offering an in-depth look at her journey from living as a man named Krzysztof to becoming a woman named Anna. Beyond the personal story, Trans-akcja delves into the broader political and cultural contexts surrounding transgender issues in Poland, a country that has been historically conservative about gender and LGBTQ+ rights.
Born in 1954 in Otwock, near Warsaw, Anna Grodzka’s life before her transition was defined by a deep sense of incongruity between her gender identity and the body she was born into. Assigned male at birth, Grodzka married a woman, Grażyna, and fathered a son. For several decades, she lived as a man, fulfilling societal expectations of masculinity. However, despite external appearances, Grodzka was never at peace with the gender assigned to her. This internal conflict led to years of emotional turmoil and a deep sense of alienation.
2010,
Anna Grodzka,
Poland,
Polish,
Director: Justyna Banaś & Krzysztof Sienny
Release Year: 2013
Synopsis:
In a world where discussions on gender identity are becoming more prominent and widely accepted, the 2013 documentary "To tylko Ja, Stasia" (English: "It Is Only Me, Stasia") offers a deeply personal and introspective exploration of one woman’s journey through self-discovery, struggle, and liberation. Directed by Justyna Banaś and Krzysztof Sienny, this poignant Polish documentary focuses on the life of Stasia, a transgender woman, who shares her experience of transitioning from male to female in a society that often struggles to understand or embrace gender fluidity.
At the heart of "To tylko Ja, Stasia" is Stasia herself, whose open and vulnerable interview throughout the documentary gives the audience an intimate look at her emotional and physical transformation. The film focuses on her transition, both in terms of her gender identity and the process of how she navigates the world as a woman, after spending much of her life trapped in a body that did not reflect her true self.
