Reel Affirmations: The Nation's LGBT Film Festival 2008

Remarkably, because the Koran doesn't say anything on the subject, transsexuality isn't forbidden in Iran and transsexuals don't have to fear prosecution. In fact, Iran's trans-rights laws are more progressive than many European countries, including France and the UK. Since the 1976 fatwa issued by the Ayatollah Khomeini, which allows people with hormonal disorders to change sex if they wish, transsexuals don't have to fear prosecution and they even can change their birth certificates.

Challenges remain though, in the traditional, religious Iranian society, which sees transsexuality still treated as a disease.

In this searingly beautiful film, religious beliefs and societal norms are played out as we follow a young man in his process of becoming a woman through a transsexual operation in Iran, up to and beyond his operation.

We meet his boyfriend, other transsexuals (among them, a woman becoming a man), the doctors, a priest and especially his family, highly devout, yet determined to allow their son his freedom to choose his gender.

In Farsi with English subtitles

AWARDS:

Special Jury Prize; Documenta, Madrid

Showtime Vanguard Award; Newfest, NY

Special Mention; DOCS DF (Mexico)

Best Human Rights Documentary on Human Rights; Docusur in Tenerife

Jury Prize, Best Documentary; Jacksonville Film Festival