The subject of gender is a taboo topic in many societies, yet fundamental to every aspect of all of our lives. This film breaks through the gender stereo-types and historical gender ideologies to liberate our bodies, minds and spirits from our own social Gender Dysphoria.
On the Cutting Edge of Human Rights
Contact us here for screenings or comments.
Here's Margie, The Colu.mn, June 17, 2011
"For those of you who have been in a zone of your own you may want to isten up. Last night at the St. Anthony Main theater the world premiere of Genderf*kation aired. The film is perhaps one of the most important independents of our time. Why is this? The topic is current, relevant and newsworthy. More importantly it is a well produced piece directed by Minneapolis' own Chris Durant. The documentary candidly follows the lives of local trans performers, activists, educators, leaders and lovers of all things trans. In the audience was none other than the local who's who from this amazing community of people living their lives with freedom and grace. The film addresses some of the issues that come with the teritories of negotiating the gender binary in a world that still supports that blue is for boys and pink is for girls.
With the exception of a couple of scenes that still may need a post production tweak before a send off to more well known Indy venues like Cannes or Sundance - the film is a captivating insider look at courageous lives. The film is a labor of love produced by an all star team of Chris Durant, Tiffany Roberts, Donovan Harmel, Esmé Rodríguez, and Rhett DuPont. Starring Andrea, Esmé, Heidi, Jendeen, Leigh and Remy this is an important look into the evolution of humanity through the profiling of gender fluidity. The Supporting Cast is another who's who of dedicated professionals and spokespeople on the gender politic. A Q&A moderated by Fresh Fruit Radio, KFAI hosts Peter Gokey and Kendrick Davies followed the film.... All things considered this was an evening that will no doubt continue to elevate the collective understanding and conscience about gender.
Bravo/a to all who labored on this very important topic and put forth a product that will undoubtedly elevate the dialog to a new height." From the June 17, 2011 issue.
Jacques Capesius
Unity-Unitarian Church
I just want to give big honest THANK YOU for coming to our class last evening and showing the film and talking about it afterwards. It was a GREAT film, and more to point, an IMPORTANT film. If I had my druthers, it would be a part of all OWL classes, and furthermore, would be part of all sex/relationship education classes. And I'm pretty sure you blew a lot of minds last night, and I'm hoping the comments from the kids in the class gives you hope for a more enlightened future.
As a side, I overheard one of the kids saying to another one, "it is SO COOL that we go to a church that does stuff like this!"
I couldn't agree more.
David Tager, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
MU Student Health Center
“This moving film depicts the struggles and triumphs of individuals who fail to meet society’s expectations of gender. It is worth seeing for everyone and instructive to anyone who wants to better understand the transgender experience. I highly recommend this documentary.”
From Jim Brunzell III, The Optimistic Pessimist
Twin Cities Daily Planet
Genderf*kation delves into six subjects and their journeys through political, religious and social stances who discuss their struggles and perseverance to understand or allow for gender variations. The film brings up other factors including gender historical aspects and stereotypes and allows each subject to speak freely about who they are, how they are active in their communities and mainly, open up and present a provocative take on an unfamiliar subject. The subject is often taboo, but in Genderf*kation, Durant is able to give each subject aptly time on screen and brings out important circumstances, facts, and issues that will surprise and touch many viewers. Although the film was based and filmed in the Twin Cities, it speaks to a universal subject.
One of the subjects in the film, Esme Rodriguez, is a local performer in the Twin Cities and one very sought after nationally too. Rodriguez also a producer on the film and is currently fighting for her PhD. Another subject, Jendeen, is in a local rock band called Mercy Kill; their song “Demolition Grrrls” plays at the beginning of the film, and Jendeen gives some of the most interesting testimonial in the movie.
… much of the film was shot in natural light and was completely shot on a handheld camera, giving it a bright aesthetic and fluidity.” This style brings to mind the “dogma” style of filmmaking developed in the 90s by by Danish “bad boy” director Lars Von Trier and others.
Durant also mentioned that the film screened two weeks ago at the Unity church in St. Paul, to around 20 teenagers … Genderf*kation in fact is starting to get attention not only in the Twin Cities but across the U.S.: it will play at the Desperado Film Festival in Arizona this January and will screen in different providences in Canada as well as in Helsinki, Finland.
Denise Burke
All God’s Children MCC
Minneapolis
No cute before and after shots. A complete departure from the run-of-the-mill dips into transgender life you see on cable TV. Genderf*kation is the gritty truth of what it means to live as a gender non-conforming person authentically every day. This transition is not always clean and neat. People struggle with addiction, deteriorating family relationships and finding work.
Genderf*kation is about perseverance. It’s about overcoming constant hurdles, about getting the edge on circumstances beyond control and emerging a whole person.
I know some of the people in the movie. I know it’s true because I too live this story every day. And I know without this film record, we would all be a lot poorer for understanding the world of gender and human identity.
Teri Jean Homer
This weekend I was invited to a screening of the movie Genderf*kation and was pleasantly surprised. The subject was one close to me as a trans-female and it touched many of the issues I have had to deal with since I worked through my transition. The thing I enjoyed was the fact the producers covered the trials of being a more senior trans-person and families. Having adult children who are already set in their lives brings special issues with their parent's decision to transition. Leigh and I have simular pasts and for that it brings an amount of recognition and comfort knowing we have something in common. The fact I count Leigh a friend, our background brings a closer bond. This film with help many other people as they move along their path of acceptance in who they are and how they help their families and friends understand what it is to be transgendered. This movie should be marketed to all schools and universities as education and will do more good than all the laws in the land.
Thank you (Producers) for your work and leadership in the making of this film.
Patrick Scully
Patrick's Cabaret
Thanks for making this film, Chris. Watching it reminded me of seeing "Word is OUT" years ago, and how important that was for me.
Sydney Evans
What a great film! Even though I knew almost every person in the film, it was wonderful to have so many voices (and expressions) pulled together to create a cogent view of gender non-conformity. Thanks to everyone who took part in creating the film and also to Patrick's Cabaret for hosting the screening.
Luke Stevens-Royer
Coordinator of Youth and Campus Ministries
Unity Church-Unitarian, St. Paul, MN
We were delighted to have you, and wish you well in promoting your film! It is important and meaningful work that this religious community, and many others I know, fully support.
From Echo Magazine - Phoenix, AZ - January 20, 2012
By Glenn Gullickson
A major theme of films at this year’s Desperado Film Festival is gender identity, a topic that’s been a hot button issue for the event’s host, the Maricopa County Community Colleges. Dale Heuser, senior director of the film festival and a member of the faculty at Paradise Valley Community College, noted that two films and several shorts to be screened deal with gender identity issues.
The documentary Genderf*kation: A Gender Emancipation is a story of six people dealing with a society that struggles to understand gender variations. It will be screened with the short film The Family Journey, about raising gender non-conforming children.
The screening is free and will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Thomas Beatie, a female to male transsexual known as the world’s first pregnant man, and trans activists Erica Kepler and Logan Sage Croft.
Alan East, Desperado’s chair, noted that gender identity has been a big issue in the community college system since last year’s effort to get its governing board to approve nondiscrimination protections for trans students and staff.
Genderf*kation will also get a special screening for Maricopa Community College employees. “We wanted to make sure the district could use that kind of film to teach their family and social classes,” East said.
Echo Magazine - Phoenix, AZ - January 20,2012
The Reviews - Neil Cohen
Gender issues mark the area of greatest discrimination and lack of understanding in the LGBT community, and in the larger society. The documentary Genderf*kation is a moving testament to the strength of six individuals on their journey to be true to themselves. The subjects come from different social, political and religious backgrounds. Each is navigating the challenging path in a unique way.
Genderf*kation director Chris Durant does a great job of shedding light on a segment of the population that is underserved in the media. There are so many variations and complexities to gender identification that it is useful to see work like this that presents a variety of people.
Set in Minneapolis, the documentary has a universal appeal. It shows what happens to individuals who self identify or fall outside of traditional gender and sexual identities.
A film like Genderf*kation goes a long way toward combating attitudes that place members of the transgender and queer communities at greater risk of being a victim of bias crimes. By introducing members of the subjects’ families and medical and psychological experts, not only does the film do a great job of educating the audiences, it reaches out to those in the community who may be feeling alone or disconnected.
Becki Fogerty, Director
Office of Equity and Inclusion
University of Delaware
Our staff had the opportunity to preview the film, and we loved it! We think it would be perfect to show to our campus community as an educational program in March/April.
From a straight FTM in London
Saw the film in London at Gendered Intelligence film night - really enjoyed it - thanks everyone!
Steven F. Butterman, Ph.D.
Director, Program in Women's and Gender Studies
University of Miami
Thank you for sending me the DVD. I had the opportunity to view it a couple of days ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was informed by Library Acquisitions that, per my request, my university will purchase this groundbreaking DVD.
Congratulations on producing this fine piece of work. I look forward to being able to show it in our classes in the future.
