For transgender individuals, the journey of self-understanding can come with challenges, but they're not on the journey alone. The Transforming Family Cinema Series, happening this weekend at Zeitgeist in Duluth, showcases three stories of transgender people and their families.
"I live in Hibbing, and for me getting the stories of trans kids that are growing up in rural areas was very important," says Elizabth Chatelain, director of Bigfoot Woods - one of the films being screened on Saturday, June 6th. In Bigfoot Woods, a small community focuses on a purported sighting of a sasquatch. While the community is convinced of the cryptid, many have trouble accepting a trans youth. "I have a family member that's very close to me that's young, that's going through the same transition."
In addition to Bigfoot Woods, the documentaries Amma's Pride and My Sunnyside will also be featured. "My Sunnyside is set in Queens, New York... it's really a story of love and acceptance," says Chatelain. "Amma's Pride is set in a small village in India... it's about a person who has transitioned male-to-female and gets married, and her mother is extremely supportive throughout the entire process, and that's a very rare thing in a small village."
Tickets for the films are available through the Zeitgeist Arts website. Some directors and producers will be in attendance at the screenings.
You can hear Community Connection every Tuesday and Thursday at 8am on Northland Morning.
