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: Дом 2
Release Year: 2010
Synopsis:
Erika Kisheva, born on November 27, 1981, in Nalchik, Russia, made headlines as one of the most unique and controversial participants in the reality television series Дом 2 (House 2), which aired in 2010. Her appearance on the show sparked conversations across Russia and beyond, as she was open about her transgender identity—an openness that was rare for Russian media at the time. Yet, her journey to Дом 2 was far from simple, marked by personal struggles, societal rejection, and a deeply transformative process. In this article, we will take a closer look at her life, her time on the show, the challenges she faced, and how she became a significant figure in the LGBTQ+ community in Russia.
Erika Kisheva's story began in the small city of Nalchik, in the southern Russian republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. Born in a Muslim family, Erika was always different from the other children. From a young age, she recognized that her true gender identity did not align with the body she was born into. As a boy in a traditional and conservative family, this realization was met with confusion, rejection, and disapproval. In her family’s eyes, gender roles were clearly defined, and Erika's identity didn't fit the mold.
She expressed her desire to become a girl early on, but her family struggled to understand her. Despite the lack of acceptance at home, Erika was determined to live as her true self. Realizing that her dreams could not be fulfilled in her hometown, she moved to Moscow in 2003, in search of greater freedom to explore her identity.
2010,
Erika Kisheva,
Russia,
Russian,
Producer: Russia's television network, RT
Release Year: 2013
Synopsis:
In 2013, Russia’s state-run television network RT (formerly Russia Today) released a documentary titled His Name is Julia, which, despite its relatively short runtime of 30 minutes, offers an intimate and emotional glimpse into the life of Julia Solovyova (Юлия Соловьева), formerly Yuri Ovodov (Юрий Оводов), a transgender woman navigating the complex, often painful process of transitioning. The film addresses universal themes of self-discovery, family conflict, societal rejection, and the hurdles of medical and legal recognition that are often faced by transgender individuals. At its core, His Name is Julia is not just about one person’s transition but about the social, emotional, and psychological landscapes traversed by anyone daring to live authentically in a world that frequently resists change.
The documentary centers on Julia Solovyova, a middle-aged former sports writer who, until recently, lived as Yury Ovodov. Julia’s story is framed within the context of her ongoing journey to understand herself and to convince the people around her—especially her elderly parents—that she is no longer the man she once was. For Julia, this is not just about changing her name and appearance; it’s about confronting years of internalized conflict and, at times, excruciating self-doubt.
2013,
Julia Solovyova,
Juliette Bashirova,
Russia,
Russian,
