Movies On And By Intersex People For Our International Visibility Day!
In recent years, intersex topics have been tackled in a way that is more empowering for the people concerned in documentaries and fiction. By giving the people directly concerned a position as protagonists rather than as subjects of the story. This change of perspective means that film productions are more representative, offering unique and enlightening perspectives on the experiences of intersex people, while addressing the themes of gender, identity and social norms.
Some of these movies can even serve as coming-out "godparents", facilitating discussion on the subject and educating your loved ones without you having to do most of the teaching yourself.
Here's my selection of movies and why we loved them!
1. Every Body (2023)
Genre: documentary
Synopsis
EVERY BODY is a revelatory investigation of the lives of intersex people.
The film tells the stories of three individuals who have moved from childhoods marked by shame, secrecy, and non-consensual surgeries to thriving adulthoods after each decided to set aside medical advice to keep their bodies a secret and instead came out as their authentic selves.
Actor and screenwriter River Gallo (they/them), political consultant Alicia Roth Weigel (she/they), and Ph.D. student Sean Saifa Wall (he/him) are now leaders in a fast-growing global movement advocating for greater understanding of the intersex community and an end to unnecessary surgeries.
Woven into the story is a stranger-than-fiction case of medical abuse, featuring exclusive footage from the NBC News archives, which helps explain the modern-day treatment of intersex people.
Why do I love it?
Because it showcases intersex people that followed their dreams, that took that difficult road of healing and acceptance of oneself and that are now shining.
If you’re not intersex yourself, you will know a lot about what has been happening for decades to intersex children in the USA (and the world!) and better understand the revendications of intersex people in terms of basic human rights...
Where to watch?
From the USA (or with a VPN), you can rent/buy it on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Vudu, Xfinity
2. No Box For Me - An Intersex Story (2018)
Genre: documentary
Synopsis
« I sometimes dream that I no longer have hips, buttocks or legs. My madness doesn't go that far. It's only the middle that encumbers me, its uselessness freezing me. »
How do we live with sex characteristics that have been decided for us, operated on to conform to norms from birth? How do we deal with this difference? M. (27) lives in France, where intersex is still treated as a pathology that needs to be treated and repaired. This part of herself is taboo. To find a way out, M replies to Deborah (25), also born intersex, who is looking for testimonials on the subject for her dissertation in gender studies at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. A correspondence begins between them that will completely change their lives.
The film reflects on how intersex people seek to reclaim their bodies and construct their identities. It questions what our Western societies are prepared to do in the name of social norms.
Why do I love it?
This documentary really focuses narration around breaking the isolation, meeting peers, finding its own words to talk about being intersex, finding community and coming out. It delicately portrays many turning points in the life experience of four intersex people between Switzerland and France.
Where to watch?
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/nidevenidadam Available with English subtitles on some streaming platforms and can be rented or purchased on Vimeo.
3. Orchids - My Intersex Adventure
Genre: (intersex) autobiographical documentary
Synopsis
Documentary filmmaker, Phoebe Hart, comes clean on her journey of self-discovery to embrace her future and reconcile the past shame and family secrecy surrounding her intersex condition. Despite her mother’s outright refusal to be in the film, Phoebe decides she must push on with her quest to resolve her life story and connect with other intersex people on camera. With the help of her sister Bonnie and support from her partner James, she hits the open road and reflects on her youth.
Phoebe’s road trip around Australia exposes her to the stories of other intersex people and holds a mirror to her own experience. She learns valuable lessons in resilience and healing but also sees the pervasive impact her condition has on all her relationships.
A potent story of family, acknowledging the past, and moving into the future with love and acceptance.
Why do I love it?
Because it’s an intersex adventure! Why do you even have to ask?! And because following the steps of Phoebe in her journey of self-discovery, watching her meet with other intersex people all around Australia has a very feel-good vibe! And also because the tone of the documentary and the relationship between Phoebe and her sister that helps her with the film-making is really beautiful to see.
Where to watch?
Can be found on the official website of the documentary , but you can also find the full movie on YouTube.
4. Ponyboi (2018)
Genre: fictional short-movie
Synopsis
Ponyboi is an intersex runaway. He works at a laundromat and hustles as sex-worker. But after a mysterious encounter with a man from his dreams, he learns that perhaps he is worthy of leaving his seedy life in New Jersey behind.
Why do I love it?
Because it is one of my favorite short-movies written and directed by an intersex person! The moral of the story is always that you deserve to be happy. Whether that means finding true love, owning a white Mustang, seeing the ocean in the sunshine or simply daring to be fully yourself!
Where to watch:
Here: Can be found on the official website of the documentary and the full short-movie is available on YouTube.
5. Who I Am Not (2023)
Genre: documentary
Synopsis
An intimate portrait of the lives of two intersex South Africans and the challenges they face navigating binary sex and gender systems. Set in South Africa, this Romanian-produced vérité documentary trails beauty queen Sharon-Rose Khumalo and intersex rights activist Dimakatso Sebidi. Vulnerability lies at the core of the narrative as Khumalo and Sebidi invite us into their most private spaces to witness the various medical, societal and personal challenges they face. Each scene raises questions about sex and gender identity, and who gets to define it. The answers are surprising – even to the subjects themselves. Deeply moving and candid, we see the two struggle to accept themselves in a world that views them as anomalies. Although their individual journeys are lonely, neither of them are isolated; they find solace in one another, as well as their wider communities whose support is instrumental to their healing.
Why do I love it?
Because it is a gem portraying gems. Being intersex in a Western or colonized country also means having to evolve in a binary society. Whether you identify yourself as a woman, a man or a non-binary person, this is often accompanied by difficulties in finding your place and feeling legitimate when you’re intersex too. This film shows both how society forces its members to conform to its gender norms, and how two intersex people who support each other become stronger, more sure of who they want to be and who they are. Even if this sometimes means knowing exactly who you are not.
Where to watch?
Now, the movie is on tour in festivals. You will find all the info about the next screenings on the official website of the documentary: https://whoiamnotdocumentary.com/
And you? What are your favorite intersex movies?
Have you seen some movies on this list? What have you thought about them?
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