She’s a Boy I Knew

Voted Most Popular Canadian Film at the 2007 Vancouver International Film Festival, local filmmaker Gwen Haworth’s autobiographical documentary offers an intimate, engaging exploration of family ties as it chronicles Haworth’s male-to-female gender transition. At each step in the process, the film gives voice to Hawthorn’s anxious but loving parents, sisters, ex-wife, and best friend. As all concerned are forced to re-examine their preconceptions of sexuality and gender, family bonds are strengthened. Archival footage and animation help illustrate the story. She’s a Boy I Knew also won the Women in Film and Television Vancouver Artistic Merit Award given at VIFF. “What makes this film so refreshing is the thoughtfulness and self-examination of everyone involved. We’re privy to complicated yet eloquently articulated feelings of anger, betrayal and fear as well as compassion, love and acceptance. These are smart, observant, self-aware people talking about the things that are hardest to talk about, yet doing so with incredible insight, grace and honesty” (Vancouver I.F.F.). Colour, digital video. 70 mins.