TransGeneration

(This comment refers to the feature version of Transgeneration in limited release at festivals, in my case, Los Angeles Outfest 2005.)

I loved Transgeneration--it's a look at four transgendered college students, two male-to- female and two female-to-male, in various stages of their transitions. It's hilarious, heartbreaking, and will be manna for other gender-curious kids who can oftentimes think that they're all alone in their situations. Which is not to say that wider audiences won't love it, too; the universal human need to find oneself, and to come to terms with that self is reflected in the four students. Director Jeremy Simmons is incisive without ever being intrusive, and has created a very wondrous thing. I'm really looking forward to the expanded mini-series airing Fall 2005 on Sundance Channel.

It's been done. I don't see Transgeneration as particularly groundbreaking, but then-- as a member of the subject population, I've seen most of it. I'd say that it's representationally correct, and cut to keep attention, but that the 90 minute promo that was shown at select college campuses was cut much more expansively, and better, than the 30 minute episodes.

I like the diversity among the 4 students selected, and thought that Transgeneration covered a lot of really important issues with them. Equal representation of female-to-male and male-to-female subjects, FtMs at women's colleges, an international student, a student with a disability, 2 students of color. This is really useful, because transition overlaps with everything else that's going on in the person's life, and the flavor of those lives came through, not just another over-medicalized show.

This film is groundbreaking for its subject matter. It marks the first time transsexual issues are discussed without jeer or finger pointing in mainstream (as mainstream as sundance is) media. However, it presents a limited definition of transsexual - someone who plans to or is altering their primary or secondary sex characteristics. While I might prefer the film include individuals who identify as transsexual but are not transitioning, this diversity would likely confuse people more unfamiliar with the trans world. So, A+ to the filmmakers for their justified and well-presented risk-taking, and to the participants in the film for their bravery and their willingness to be educators on an international level. Peace.