It was short, but sweet. The 7th annual Translations Film Festival, focusing on films featuring transgender characters and themes, wraps up today with four screenings at the Northwest Film Forum, including the closing film, “Facing Mirrors”, the Iranian made narrative film about a pregnant woman who befriends a FTM passenger in the cab she drives. It screens at 7:15pm Sunday night with one of the film’s producers in attendance for a post screening Q&A.
Here’s the entire line-up for Sunday, May 6, 2012:
ANGEL
May 6
Northwest Film Forum
1:00pm
Northwest Premiere
Known in Paris as Mujerón (“Big Woman”), Angel is a former professional Ecuadorian boxer, now living between genders and working as a prostitute to support an agrarian family back home. On the first trip back to Ecuador in five years, Angel encounters the harsh reality of everyday life there and an ambiguous relationship with her family, who are in the process of building Angel a home to return to. This unique documentary is both a compelling look at complex identities and economic struggles, and a touching story of a remarkable person’s perseverance and graceful transformation of harassment into acceptance.
ANGEL, Sebastiano d’Ayala Valva; 2010; France; 62 min.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the box office at NW Film Forum beginning at 12:30pm.
Will-call opens at 12:30pm.
I AM A WOMAN NOW
May 6
Northwest Film Forum
2:30pm
Northwest Premiere
Five first-generation transsexual women paint a resonant picture of the successes they enjoyed and the obstacles they encountered in the fifty years since their surgical transformations, all performed in Casablanca, Morocco, by Dr. Georges Burou, who did not require psychological assessments as a precondition. Did their sex change operations change their lives as they had hoped? How did their families react? Using high production values, vintage photographs, and home videos, this respectful and sensitive documentary offers a fresh perspective on these women’s difficult choice to step into the unknown and the consequences that follow the realization of an unattainable dream.
I AM A WOMAN NOW, Michiel van Erp; 2011; The Netherlands; 86 min.
Playing with: AFTER TERMINAL VELOCITY; Clyde Petersen; 2012; USA; 2 min.
A response to the death of Transgender Activist Samantha Jane Dorsett, using stark animation.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the box office at NW Film Forum beginning at 12:30pm.
Will-call opens at 12:30pm.
AUSTIN UNBOUND
May 6
Northwest Film Forum
4:30pm
In some ways, AUSTIN UNBOUND is familiar: a transman grows up uncomfortable in his body and copes with loved ones through his transition. However, Austin is also Deaf. Through this unique documentary, he not only reveals his personal journey, but also a glimpse of the Deaf community and culture he holds dear. Charming and brash Austin travels from Portland (where he performs in a talent show fundraiser for his surgery) to California (on a road trip for the operation) and back home again to family and friends. AUSTIN UNBOUND is a touching portrait of a remarkable young man and an engaging experience for both hearing and deaf audiences.
AUSTIN UNBOUND, Eliza Greenwood & Sel Staley; 2011; US; 45 min.
Playing with: MIND, Emma Crimmings; 2011; Australia; 26 min.
Using writing and fantasy as a way of exploring the nature of identity acclaimed Tom Cho embarked on a profound personal transformation revisited in this wildly imaginative film. Winner Best Transgender Short Film at the 2011 SLGFF!
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the box office at NW Film Forum beginning at 12:30pm.
Will-call opens at 12:30pm.
FACING MIRRORS
MAY 6
Northwest Film Forum
7:15pm
Northwest Premiere
The first narrative film from Iran to feature a transgender main character, FACING MIRRORS is a story of an unlikely and daring friendship that develops despite social norms and traditional beliefs. Rana drives a cab in order to survive financially and pay off the debt that keeps her husband in prison. By chance, she picks up Eddie, who’s on the run and desperately awaiting the passport he needs to leave the country. When the religious and inexperienced Rana learns that her wealthy passenger is FTM, conflicts arise, but could they eventually help each other out of their dire situations?
FACING MIRRORS , Negar Azarbayjani; 2011; Iran; 102 min.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the box office at NW Film Forum beginning at 12:30pm.
Will-call opens at 12:30pm.