Film Review 1: Middle Sexes

1. In the film “Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She,” it informs the audience of just that. The thesis of the film is about personal documentary and stories that involve sex, gender, transgender, and intersex people. In the film the audience is able to discover the challenges of transgender and intersex individuals and the steps it will take to have their male or female sex organs removed. What is also focused on is how society views this kind of transformation and behavior while having to deal with society.

2. Some of the main arguments in support of the thesis involve parents and couples who want to guard and protect their family from being harmed by society. Another issue focused on how society does not understand the trouble and hard ache that a person has to go through with living among others who do not accept this way of life.

3. The thesis of this film relates to the course because these people are prime examples of what is seen as deviant to society. One of the stories in this film focuses on 8 years Noah. Noah does different things that other boys his age are considered not to do for example; play with dolls and dress up like a girl. He is accepted and loved by his family but his parents fear the worst because of suicide or harm from other people. In the article by Anne Fausto called “The Five Sexes: Why Male and Female are Not Enough,” she explains that society will not always embrace intersexuality (Fausto Sterling 24). As Noah continues to act in his ways, society may not fully accept him as he gets older. But society today is turning more so to accepting homosexuality.

4. One of the points that stood out to me in the film was in Thailand. It was interesting to see that some of the performers were transsexual and transgender females. It was interesting to see how society accepted them there and that it was one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions. In our society this is considered deviant and viewed by many as a disorder of dysfunction.

5. One of the points I found that was least convincing was that this film was more about information and awareness on intersex and transgender individuals. If the film was more about ways on breaking the norms and barriers against transgender it would grasp more attention in society.

6. I think that Noah’s story stands out the most to me. Why was Noah acting the way he acted? As he gets older I would research his growth and progress. Will he change his ways and become different during puberty? Or will his parents get him on some kind of medications to get him to change? I would compare Noah’s situation to Labeling Theory by Howard Becker. He was picked on and called names by other boys and girls. If Noah is to continue his ways, he will be labeled by others and considered deviant by society. I would study Noah’s progress throughout his teenage years and see what changes, if any, have been made.