Free Political Film Screenings Cinema Politica is a project organized by Montréal-based non-profit überculture, and comprises a network of several local film exhibition series across Canada, Europe and the USA.

Boy I Am

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Concordia University (Montreal)
Monday March 15, 2010
Screening begins 19h30
Venue: Room H-110, 1455 de Maisonneuve O, Concordia University

Join us for this special double-bill screening of two amazing documentaries exploring issues around sexuality, gender, and transformation.

First Film:Boy I Am

A probing look at questions and resistance toward FTMs from the lesbian community.

Sam Feder & Julie Hollar / USA / 2006 / 72 min

An important exploration of issues rarely touched upon by most films portraying female-to-male (FTM) transgender experiences, this feature-length documentary sets itself apart from other recent films on this topic. Tackling the resistance of some women in feminists and lesbian communities who view FTM transitioning as at best a "trend" or at worst an anti-feminist act that taps into male privilege, this groundbreaking film opens up a dialog between the lesbian, feminist, and transgender communities while also promoting understanding of transgender issues for general audiences.

In the course of the film, three young transitioning FTMs in New York City- Nicco, Norie and Keegan- go through major junctures in their transitions, discussing everything from their relationships with their bodies, feminism, and the intersection of race and class with their transgender identity. Their stories are interspersed with interviews with lesbians, activists and theorists who engage with the often-contentious questions and issues that are raised within the queer and feminist communities but are rarely discussed openly. Situating these struggles and stories as inextricably linked to queer and feminist struggles, BOY I AM presents an empowering chronicle of queer resistance that challenges all viewers to rethink their concepts of activism and identity.

Trailer

Credits

Directors/Producers
Sam Feder and Julie Hollar

Executive Producer
Sam Feder

Senior Editor
Jules Rosskam

Associate Editor
Sam Feder

Associate Producer
Dahlia Kozlowsky

First Camera
Sam Feder

Second Camera
Julie Hollar

Sound Editor
Joshua Guthals

Music
Joshua Guthals, Jesse Olsen

Interviewees
Nicco Beretta, Norie Manigult
Keegan O’Brien, Elizabeth Cline
Lucey Cummins, Judith "Jack" Halberstam
Imani Henry, Jennifer Hoffman
Bernadette McHenry, Deb Botkin
Dean Spade, Carmen Vazquez

Awards & Festivals

• Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival- Audience Favorite
Documentary Feature
• Newfest, New York LGBT Film Festival
• Frameline, San Francisco LGBT Film Festival
• Outfest, Los Angeles G&L Film Festival
• image+nation, Montreal
• Lesbian Looks Film Festival
• Mix Brasil
• Out on Film, Atlanta
• Reeling Film Festival
• Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
• London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
• Pink Apple Film Festival (Zurich)
• QDoc, Portland Queer Documentary Film Festival
• Athens LGBT Film Festival
• Brisbane Queer Film Festival
• Tel Aviv International LGBT Film Festival
• Hungry XII, Hungarian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Festival
• InsideOut Lesbian & Gay Film & Video Festival
• Melbourne Queer Film Festival
• Netherlands Transgender Film Festival
• Kansai Queer Film Festival
• Queer Screen

Film site & Reviews

» official site

» Educational Media Reviews Online

» The Boston Globe

Get Involved

» FTM International Alliance

» The Sylvia Rivera Law Project

Second Film: Girl Inside

Following 26 year-old Madison as she transitions from male to female

Maya Gallus / Canada / 2007 / 70 min

Following 26-year-old Madison during a crucial three years of her transition from male to female, GIRL INSIDE is a beautiful film that tracks her emotional, intellectual and spiritual journey of self-discovery that is as important as – if not more than – the physical journey of hormones and surgery. Sharing the spotlight is Vivien, Madison’s glamorous 80-year-old grandmother, who has taken on the job of advising her on all things feminine. While Vivien's attempts to school Madison in old-fashioned codes of fashion and behavior are often hilarious, the juxtaposition of two vastly different experiences of womanhood, from very different generations, raises profound issues about the nature of gender, femininity and sexuality.

Sometimes funny, sometimes painful, this heartwarming coming of age story is both an intimate portrait and a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be a woman. Recommended for courses in transgender and queer studies, gender studies, women’s studies and sociology.