| Trinidad | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jay Hodges,PJ Raval |
| Produced by | Matt Dentler |
| Cinematography | PJ Raval |
| Edited by | Kyle Henry |
Production company | Surly Puppy |
| Distributed by | Canadian Filmmakers' Distribution Centre(Theatrical) The Cinema Guild(DVD) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Trinidad is an Americandocumentary film by Jay Hodges andPJ Raval. The film was screened at theIFP Market and IFP Rough Cuts Lab.[1] In 2009, the film premiered onShowtime.[2]
Dr. Stanley Biber began conductingsex reassignment therapy inTrinidad, Colorado, in 1969.Dr. Marci Bowers, a former patient of Biber, took over his practice after his death.Trinidad focuses on Bowers and two of her patients at different stages of their transition from male to female.[3]
Directors Jay Hodges and PJ Raval were intrigued by Trinidad's status as the "Sex Change Capital of the World" and the fact that Marci Bowers, the town's surgeon, had a transgender history. Neither director lived in the town, so they filmed in intervals of several months at a time.[3][4] In an interview withQueerty, Raval said, "Our intention was not to sensationalize or exploit but to create something where people can see the universal struggle for self-expression and give people an opportunity to explore these concepts of gender and gender identity."[5]
Trinidad received $4,000 for production and $7,000 for post-production through theAustin Film Society's Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund.[6]
Trinidad features music byAntony and the Johnsons,The Cinematic Orchestra, andJulia Kent.[7]
Eric Campos, writing forFilm Threat, gave the film 4 out of 5 stars and said, "Trinidad succeeds in presenting the materials for a better understanding of transsexual people and stands to be very instrumental in making the world outside of Trinidad, Colorado a safer place for them to live."[8]IFC's Stephen Salto commented, "Hodges and Raval arrive in town just in time to shoot the construction of Morning Glow, a recovery house that not only provides a dramatic arc for the story, but slyly demonstrates how post-ops are just like anyone else, in moments as simple as arguing over the proper trim for the doors of the house."[9]
| Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland International Film Festival[10] | Best Documentary | Jay Hodges,PJ Raval | Won |
| Los Angeles Film Festival[10] | Best Documentary | Jay Hodges,PJ Raval | Nominated |