i saw the docupic Southern Comfort (2001) earlier in my journey, back in the 2000s, and it's stuck with me. it's about a middle-aged trans man in back-country Georgia, Robert Eads, who is dying of ovarian cancer, his poor prognosis owed in part to over 20 doctors refusing to treat him early on. it's also about the tremendous bonds of love he shares with the found family accompanying him in this closing chapter of his life.
Robert Eads was an absolutely beautiful soul. watching this, you will fall in love with this wise, gentle man.
the filmmaker here is cis but the work avoids most of the pitfalls you might expect. the film's dominant trait is empathy, a willingness to show that beyond the surface, people are more alike than different.
it is one of the best documentaries about trans people imo. last night i showed it to my friend (10 years younger) and she was very moved. she's been having some rough times with her own family and this forthright, unashamed portrayal of queers loving queers amid adversity was very much what she needed. it's also a fascinating time capsule that captures a unique slice of the u.s. trans experience of 25 years ago, and puts an uncommon spotlight on transmasc identities.
i think many other younger trans folk would appreciate Southern Comfort too were it better known, and what do you know, it's currently on YouTube (and torrent, w/ DVD extras). consider this a hearty recommendation. i would love to see this film become better known among younger generations. i think Eads, as well as his beautiful queer family, still has a lot to teach us. he certainly still has a lot to teach me.
(some CW for stories of transphobia, surgery talk)
