Release Year: 1999
Synopsis:
Creature (1999), directed by Parris Patton, is a poignant documentary that captures the complex and often painful journey of Stacey "Hollywood" Dean, a transgender woman from a conservative background in North Carolina. Released on June 3, 1999, the film tells the story of Stacey's struggles with identity, acceptance, and self-realization, focusing on her transition from Kyle Dean to Stacey Hollywood. As a raw, honest portrayal of gender identity and the transgender experience, Creature received widespread acclaim for its unflinching depiction of a personal and social transformation, becoming a landmark documentary in LGBTQ+ cinema.
At the heart of Creature is Stacey Dean's journey. Born Kyle Dean in a small, conservative town in North Carolina, Stacey faced rejection and isolation from an early age. Throughout her youth, she was harassed by peers who mocked her desire to transition into a woman. In high school, Stacey was cruelly dubbed "Creature" by classmates, a label that reflected not only their inability to accept her true self but also society's broader misunderstanding of gender nonconformity.
Stacey’s decision to transition was not one she made lightly.
