Southern Comfort (2001)

Southern Comfort documents the final year in the life of Robert Eads, a female-to-male transsexual. Eads, diagnosed with ovarian cancer, was turned down for treatment by two dozen doctors ... See full summary »

Director:

Kate Davis

Stars:

Robert Eads, Lola Cola, Maxwell Scott Anderson

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 6 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Robert Eads	...	Himself
Lola Cola	...	Herself
Maxwell Scott Anderson	...	Himself
Cas Piotrowski	...	Himself
Corissa Anderson	...	Herself
Stephanie Piotrowski	...	Herself (as Stephanie)
Bo	...	Himself
Keegan	...	Himself

Storyline

Southern Comfort documents the final year in the life of Robert Eads, a female-to-male transsexual. Eads, diagnosed with ovarian cancer, was turned down for treatment by two dozen doctors out of fear that treating such a patient would hurt their reputations. By the time Eads received treatment, the cancer was too advanced to save his life. Filmmaker Kate Davis follows Robert and a group of trans-gendered Southerners in this captivating and truly touching documentary.

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Plot Keywords:

cancer | transsexual | ftm | transgender parent | transgender | 

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Taglines:

Love is a many-gendered thing

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 May 2002 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Robert Eads

Filming Locations:

Toccoa, Georgia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Q-Ball Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Herself: Nature delights in diversity. Why don't human beings?

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Connections

Features Titanic (1997)

User Reviews

Stunning documentary of gender pioneers in "Bubba" country.

This film won the Grand Jury Documentary prize at Sundance this year.

Against the narrative of Robert, a transgender female-to-male responding to the irony of ovarian cancer, the director creates a deeply moving portrayal of love and determination in the face of prejudice.

Robert lives in rural Georgia, which he describes as "Bubba country" and the "home of the KKK." Nonetheless most of Robert's encounters with the heterosexual community are recounted as upbeat examples of surprising tolerance. Without any pretense, artifice, or apology, he is magnetically compelling in speech and movement. His complete lack of bitterness sets aside the distractions of his cancer, enabling the viewer share his satisfaction in life as a man and his joy in his relationships.

In spite of challenging subject matter, this documentary of Robert's self-selected "family" of transgendered men and women (and one heterosexual partner) is unerring in its ability to humanize without condescension. By not politicizing or sensationalizing her subjects' gender issues, the director has achieved a profoundly affecting emotional depth.

The film is loving and in its clarity, refreshing. I recommend it highly.