By BA Haller© Media dis&dat
In the new documentary, “Austin Unbound,” which was sevenyears in the making, the filmmakers beautifully explore the journey of a Deaftransgender man.
It provides excellent insight into the life of Austin, whoknew as a small child that he was not in the correct body. The documentary follows Austin as he preparesfor and then receives his double mastectomy. It also features in-depth interviews with his family, friends andgirlfriend.
Filmmaker Eliza Greenwood said at the screening of “AustinUnbound” at the Society for Disability Studies (SDS) meeting in June that herbackground as a Gallaudet University graduate and as a hearing sister fluent insign language drew her to the project.
Greenwood began the project in 2004, when she got permissionfrom Austin to begin filming him. Sel Staley also served as director on the project, andMara Green worked as assistant director on the film.
Green said at SDS that they wanted the film to be situatedin the “queer-centric and sign-centric community.”
The final 45-minute film retains that emphasis.
Austin makes it clear throughout the film that he identifiesas a straight man. He gained support from the Deaf community in his journey. Heand his friends created a fundraiser for his top surgery with an American SignLanguage (ASL) Comedy Night. Austin performed, as did a number of other deaf supporters.
“The Deaf community would be different if not for him. Austinis such a leader in the trans world. He’s so open. He doesn’t care what othersthink,” a friend from the Comedy Night says in the film.
The film is unique in that it is entirely in sign languageand captions/subtitles; even the voices of hearing people are not heard. Butthat adds to its power.
Austin’s family members are featured in numerous interviewsthat illustrate the strength that can come from a supportive family. Austin’s mother, Pam, talks honestly abouthis early childhood when he rejected everything girl-oriented. She made herpeace with his transformation by the time Austin was in high school andsupported his decision to dress and identify as male.
Interestingly, his mother’s only regret: that he changed hisname. He is the oldest of four (he hasthree sisters), and she said loved the girl’s name she chose for him. Some might thinkshe is complaining, but it is a sweet moment in which Austin’s motherillustrates how even supportive family members struggle to accept a transgenderperson in their family.
In the most wonderful scene in the film, Austin shows hisscars from the double mastectomy to his grandmother,who smiles, hugs him and tells him she is so happy for his successful surgery.
A significant portion of the film is devoted to Austin’srelationship to his girlfriend, Lola. She is there for him in every way. As shegoes on this journey with him, Lola is able to reflect on Austin before andafter his top surgery.
Lola says his self confidence has increased after the topsurgery, and he seems freer since the surgery.
Austin said earlier in the film that he felt he was wearinga Halloween costume as a child when he was forced to dress as a girl.
After his surgery, he summed up the positive change in hislife: “I feel like a burden has been lifted.”
A note about screenings of “Austin Unbound:”
If you would like to host a screening, contact thefilmmakers here:http://austinunbound.org/screenings-and-presentations/
The film will be in the following Film Festivals in 2012:
Vancouver, BC, Canada, Queer Film Festival, August 16-26, http://www.queerfilmfestival.ca/
The Other Film Festival, Melbourne, Australia, Sept. 19-23, http://artsaccess.com.au/the-other-film-festival/
Lisbon, Portugal, Queer Film Festival, Sept. 21-29, http://queerlisboa.pt/en/
Focus Film Festival, Chico, Calif., Oct. 11-12, http://www.farnorthernrc.org/focusfilmfestival/about_festival.htm
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