Coming to theatres today, Friday, April 29: TRANSFIXED
Alon Kol’s chronicle of an unconventional couple had its world premiere at Thessaloniki Doc last year. Screenings followed at Montreal’s Nouveau Cinema, Cinequest, and Inside Out, among other events.
Martine and John met in a support group for Asperger’s Syndrome in Toronto and began dating in 2003. They’re a happy couple, but in John’s view, one major thing has kept them from being as close as they’d like: Martine is transgender, but has not yet had bottom surgery. He refuses to marry her – or have intercourse – until she addresses that issue. Complicating matters, just as Martine is about to have gender reassignment surgery, the Ontario government decides to stop including such costly procedures under health care coverage. Middle aged and working class, Martine feels she has no choice but to become an activist, and sues the government on the grounds of discrimination, ultimately winning her case. Despite the victory, Martine’s weight and corresponding health issues create significant delays to gaining medical approval to proceed with the surgery. Kol follows her as she seeks a solution, through the surgery, and into her recovery, in the process exploring Martine’s relationship with John. The couple’s Asperger’s, and John’s additional Tourette Syndrome, at times make it difficult to connect with the viewer – John in particular often comes off as brusque – and Kol’s filmmaking is decidedly on the rougher side, but theirs is ultimately an appealing underdog story.
what (not) to doc 