Zagadnienie transseksualizmu na przykładzie filmów "Transameryka" i "Nie czas na łzy" (Boys don't cry)

Abstract

Two films raising the topic of transsexualism were analyzed: Transamerica and Boys don’t cry. The article focuses on those scenes in the films which reflect quite accurately the state of scientific knowledge of the subject (eg. the process of sex reassignment surgery, a matter‑of‑fact approach towards a transsexual patient, transphobia in society, little knowledge of transsexualism — confusing it with other manifestations of human sexuality). Also, the attention was drawn to issues which were oversimplified in the films, especially suggesting psychological causes of transsexualism. In the summary a subtle but significant difference between the films in presenting transsexualism was pointed out: the stereotypical patterns in Transamerica and the more complex creation of the main character in Boys don’t cry.