film

TransAmazon: A Gender Queer Journey

User Rating	1 2 3 4 5
Producer(s)	Joelle Ruby Ryan, Peter Welch
Director(s)	Laurie Wen
Release Date	2003
Runtime	41 min
Format(s)	video
Youth Media	no
Educational Materials	Yes

Film Description

TransAmazon is a 41-minute documentary film about
gender identity and the push for social change as seen through the eyes of one self-styled, 6'6" transgender warrior. This film explores evolving definitions of trans, genderqueer youth, the bathroom bugaboo, radical challenges to the gender binary, passing,violence, hate crimes, bigotry and the possibility of uniting for cultural transformation.

This is a gritty, grass-roots film which uses one individual's very personal struggle to raise fundamental questions about the construction of contemporary society. As Joelle struggles to carve out a place for herself in the world, s/he urges viewers to see the common struggle of humanity and the interconnectedness of all
life on the planet. Viewers watching the film will have not only their view of gender challenged, but their take on what it means to be one person fighting for change and freedom.