An intimate and unflinching look at life in Iran, seen through the lens of those living at its fringes, 

 is a provocative look at a generation of young Iranian men choosing to undergo sex change surgery.

"This documentary mainly focuses on access to gender affirming surgeries in Iran. It follows several trans people, as they discuss very intimate details of their transition, having to defend themselves to family members and strangers, as well as talking about trans issues with Muslim religious scholars.

The director, being a cis woman, unfortunately does not use the best language to talk about trans people and has misgendered them in the documentary description. This was the first time I had ever seen Iranian trans people, in general, but also in a documentary.

One very mesmerizing person, and the only trans man in this documentary, who is unnamed, talks about how much women fancy him already, and that he cannot wait for his transition. Although he only appears for less than 3 minutes, the way he was unapologetic about his desires has stayed with me since the first time I watched this documentary as a teenager.

Although it might have been made through a difficult cis gaze, It is an important and raw documentation of the everyday lives of trans people in Iran."

- Katayoun Jalilipour, written on behalf of Otherness Archive for #TransLifeFreedom: A list of 5 Iranian films that center trans identities, gender non-conformity and queerness, with a focus on trans masculinity

Be Like Others 

 is a story of an unlikely and daring friendship that develops despite social norms and religious beliefs.


Although Rana is a traditional wife and mother, she is forced to drive a cab to pay oﬀ the debt that keeps her husband in prison. By chance she picks up the wealthy and rebellious Edi, who is desperately awaiting a passport to leave the country. At ﬁrst Rana attempts to help, but when she realizes that Edi is transgender, a dangerous series of conﬂicts arises. Directed by Negar Azarbayjani, 

 is the ﬁrst narrative ﬁlm from Iran to feature a transgender main character.

"At first, Rana is afraid of Edi upon finding out he identifies as a trans man, but as she learns more about what being transgender means, she becomes his biggest ally. This is one of the only films made inside Iran which mainly centres the complexity of being a trans man in Iran, and dangers that may follow due to unsupportive families and laws such as the compulsory hijab laws that also affect trans men as well as  women."

Facing Mirrors

 is an independent film following the story of several trans people navigating life in Iran, featuring non professional actors, a casting technique often used in Iranian cinema. This ‘docufiction’ follows trans actors as they deal with complex issues including family, relationships, faith, marriage, gender affirming surgeries, migration and financial issues.

"Although this is a low budget film, it does a good job of showcasing a somewhat in-depth representation of these lives. Especially as it showcases the complexity of the trans masc character’s decision to live as a man without undergoing surgery, and navigating struggles with toxic masculinity. What is a very big deal for me, is that unlike 

, the trans man in this film is shown to have more bodily autonomy in how he dresses and expresses himself." 

 was shown in the official selection of the 65th Venice International Film Festival as the "surprise film" in 2008.

Khastegi (My Sex Life)

is a film about a group of girls who make an attempt to enter the football stadium in order to watch a World Cup qualifying match in Tehran. Since women are not allowed in the stadium, they dress up as boys to pass through security. However many of them are unsuccessful and detained. This film is a heartwarming comedy, which does not make light of the issue of gender segregation.

"It is not specifically an LGBTQ film, however to me personally, it can be claimed as one. I remember the first time I watched this film, as a 10/11 year old, seeing Iranian girls dressing and acting like boys, was completely shocking to me, and perhaps a ‘keychain’ moment as Alison Bechdel would call it. Seeing some representation of non-conformity, and public cross dressing, which is extremely forbidden, was a defiant moment for a pre-teen queer child such as myself, and I’m sure for many others too. Two of the actors in particular, including Shayesteh Irani from Facing Mirrors, have a stone butch quality, which was extremely exciting and terrifying to me as a child." 

Offside

Iran is the only country in the region to recognise trans people (any other LGBQ+ identity is banned). Both Shervin and Samar offer a glimpse into what life is like for trans youth, who despite loving and supportive parents are forced to live covert lives, shy away from their neighbours and even consider emigration, in order to be who they truly are. 

 is a detailed depiction of the legal and social labyrinth that promises a slim aperture of freedom

"This documentary follows two young trans men in Iran, showcasing the legal and social labyrinth they have to navigate. This is a very raw and real documentation of what it’s like to be a young trans man in Iran, under the oppressive laws that control bodies they consider as ‘female’ and therefore dangerous. Although they have supportive families, they still have to live in a country that does not allow them to show their hair, dress how they please or even freely swim in the sea like their cisgender counterparts. The latter being a common experience for many trans people around the world." 

Categories

Iran