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: Vivienne Chen
Release Year: 2014
Synopsis:
In 2013, Vivienne Chen, a filmmaker and activist, produced a short documentary titled The Third Gender. The 20-minute film offers an intimate look into the lives of Thailand’s trans community, particularly focusing on the kathoey or ladyboy population. Often misunderstood and misrepresented, kathoey refers to individuals who are born male but present and identify as female, or express themselves in ways that defy traditional gender norms. The documentary offers a nuanced perspective on their lives, stories, and struggles, while questioning the extent to which Thai society is as open and accepting of sexual diversity as it might appear.
Funded by the Martin A. Dale Award, The Third Gender is more than just a snapshot of a marginalized group in Thai society; it delves deeply into the personal narratives of those living outside the rigid binary of male and female. Through interviews with kathoeys from various walks of life—performers, filmmakers, activists—the documentary explores not only their experiences of gender fluidity but also the sociopolitical obstacles they continue to face in a country known for its relatively visible and diverse gender expression.
2014,
English,
Ploypatt Sairatana,
Tanwarin Sukkhapisit,
Thailand,
Director: Tanwarin Sukkhapisit
Release Year: 2008
Original title: สบายดีค่ะ
Synopsis:
"สบายดีค่ะ" ("I’m Fine") is a 2008 documentary film by Thai director and actor Tanwarin Sukkhapisit that offers a raw, evocative portrayal of gender identity, societal constraints, and personal resilience. The film is memorable not only for its portrayal of Tanwarin’s experiences as a kathoey (a transgender woman in Thai culture), but also for its striking visual and symbolic language.
In the documentary, Tanwarin sits in a cage on a hot, sunny day in front of the Democracy Monument in Bangkok, a powerful metaphor for both her personal and societal struggles. The key to unlock the cage is within reach of anyone who passes by, yet Tanwarin declines every offer of help, calmly asserting, "I’m fine"—a statement that becomes both an assertion of independence and a reflection on the complexity of her identity.
This film is not just a personal reflection; it is also a profound commentary on the state of gender and sexual diversity in Thai society. Tanwarin’s body of work, including this documentary, is often described as a bold effort to challenge the traditional boundaries of gender and sexuality, offering a deeply human perspective on the lives of people often marginalized or misunderstood by society.
2008,
Tanwarin Sukkhapisit,
Thai,
Thailand,
