Imagine feeling like you were born in the wrong body, like maybe someone made a mistake. In the documentary entitled "Call Me Malcolm," viewers follow one man's struggle with spirituality, love, and gender identity.
With the exception of movies like "Boys Don't Cry," many films and television shows that deal with transgender issues only explore the physical transformation from one sex to the other. However, the focus of "Malcolm" is noticeably shifted, portraying instead the mental and interpersonal transformation that transgender people experience.
Joseph Parlagreco, making his feature directorial debut, accompanies transsexual Malcolm Himschoot during his cross-country journey on a search for self-actualization as he transitions from a woman to a man.
"Call Me Malcolm" begins its story with Malcolm in the last year of seminary. He crosses into uncharted territory to become one of the first transgender ministers in the Unites States.
Parlagreco presents multiple perspectives of the transgender lifestyle through personal stories from Malcolm's friends, family members, and total strangers.
Malcolm is able to find support in his pastor and mentor Reverend Emily Hassler. During conversations with Hassler, Malcolm speaks about his strict, religious parents who do not support his choice to change genders.
Surprisingly enough, the United Church of Christ produced this documentary in conjunction with Filmworks Inc. It is the first-ever feature-length film intended for theatrical release to be produced by the Church.
One of Malcolm's most intimate moments onscreen comes during the interview with his favorite high school teacher. Before Malcolm arrived, she wasn't sure if the communication between the two would feel the same as it had before.
During their conversation concerning Malcolm's decision to officially change gender, she asked him if it was a decision he made or if he was born that way. Malcolm retorted that he had definitely made one decision: not to take his own life and instead to learn how to live as a transgender.
This emotional, provocative answer is what drives the film and its viewers. The director seems to challenge the audience to take a step back and analyze their own lives, their own decisions, and even question their own gender identity.
The stories that Malcolm brings into the forefront, whether they are personal experiences or stories from other transgender icons, work together to expose the reality of the transgender experience with a unique sense of intimacy.
The film triumphs by investigating the disparity between genders, and breaking down the social divisions of society. The director stresses that it is not what gender someone is that defines who they are, but their character.
"Call Me Malcolm" is part of the Ways in Between Gender screening series that runs at Hallwalls on the first Friday of every month from Feb. until May 2006. The series is co-sponsored by the Spectrum Transgender Group of WNY and Western New York's Transgender Support Group.
Photo: Courtesy of Mitchell Kish
