Intersexion

Intersexion (2012) is a documentary about intersex people. The film was researched and presented by activist Mani Mitchell, New Zealand's first "out" intersex person.[1] It was written, directed and edited by Grant Lahood and produced by John Keir.[2]

Intersexion
Directed byGrant Lahood
Produced byJohn Keir
StarringMani Mitchell
Tamara Beck
Cheryl Chase
Caitlin Petrakis Childs
Gavan Coleman
Jim Costich
Tiger Devore
Sally Gross
Esther Morris Leidolf
Stephanie Long
Jen Pagonis
Michel Reiter
David Cameron Strachan
Anne Tamar-Mattis
Suegee Tamar-Mattis
Hida Viloria
Gina Wilson
Production
company
Ponsonby Productions Limited
Release date
  • 5 April 2012 (2012-04-05)
Running time
68 minutes
CountryNew Zealand
LanguageEnglish

Synopsis

Mani Mitchell and Grant Lahood set out to "de-mystify" intersex, looking "beyond the shame and secrecy that defines many intersex births". Interviewing intersex people around the world, the film explores how they "navigate their way through childhood, adolescence, relationships and adulthood, when they don’t fit the binary model of a solely male and female world".[1][3] The film follows Mitchell on a tour, visiting intersex people in America, Ireland, Germany, South Africa and Australia. Interviews with sex researchers are also included, as well as some history of the treatment of intersex conditions. Those who had early surgical interventions, per the theories of researchers such as John Money, contrast their experiences with those who grew up without these interventions.[1]

Cast

The cast of Intersexion includes intersex activists from around the world, including Mani Mitchell, Bo Laurent, also known as Cheryl Chase, Caitlin Petrakis Childs, Gavan Coleman, Jim Costich, Tiger Devore, Sally Gross, Esther Morris Leidolf, Stephanie Long, Pidgeon Pagonis (then known as Jen), Michel Reiter, David Cameron Strachan, Anne Tamar-Mattis, Suegee Tamar-Mattis, Hida Viloria and Gina Wilson.

Reception

Graham Adams, writing for New Zealand magazine Metro describes how, "while the frankness of his subjects can be arresting, Lahood's interest in them is never prurient, or patronising. And the documentary fairly skips along."[4] Jennie Kermode, writing for Eye For Film, writes, "Intersexion is a vital film not only in bringing it to public view, but in doing so primarily through the stories of intersex people themselves".[5] The movie has a 7.6 star rating at IMDb.[6]

Awards

Intersexion won 'Best New Zealand Documentary' and 'Best Editing' at the Documentary Edge Festival in 2012.[7] It was a runner up in the Derek Oyston Film Prize in the London BFI Lesbian and Gay Film Festival 2013, and recipient of the Audience Award for Best Documentary in the Hamburg International Queer Film Festival, 2012.[8][9]

See also

References
  1. About Intersexion, Intersexion Film, 2012
  2. Intersexion Filmmakers, Intersexion Film, 2012
  3. The Passionate Eye: InterSEXion, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 2013
  4. Press/Reviews, Intersexion Film, 2012
  5. Intersexion (2012) Film Review, Eye For Film, 22 February 2013
  6. Intersexion (2012), IMDb, 18 December 2013
  7. Intersexion wins awards at first big screen showing, Organisation Intersex International Australia, 6 May 2012
  8. The Derek Oyston CHE Film Award Archived 19 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Campaign for Homosexual Equality, 2013
  9. Intersexion Festivals/Awards, Intersexion Film, 2012
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