Trans Cinema: Making Communities, Identities, and Worlds

Horak (film studies, Carleton Univ.; Girls Will Be Boys) provides a significant study and survey of cinematic works by trans and gender-nonconforming creators. The book’s first part provides a summary of mainstream (and often stereotypical) portrayals of transgender characters, the origins and development of trans film festivals, and how advances in activism, film technology, and hosting platforms have increased opportunities for trans filmmakers to create and share their work. Part Two explores works by subject and theme (families, both chosen and blood-related; dating and sex; the experience of transitioning), from the Wachowski sisters’ big-budget series Sense8 to indie dramas like Lingua Franca to individuals documenting their gender transitions on YouTube and TikTok. Horak endeavors to include films, commentaries, and criticism by trans creators of diverse identities and origins; her efforts highlight not only the range of stories created by trans people but also what’s at risk of being overlooked if “trans cinema” is treated as a single, uniform category. This approach encourages readers to explore a variety of works and perspectives.