Human Rights Watch Film Festival: TransMilitary
What’s the largest employer of transgender people in America? The U.S. military, which currently has on its payroll 15,500 members of the trans community. The military identifies Lt. El Cook as female — to which he replies, “I am taking steps to make my biological, physical body reflect my gender.” Cook is one of four soldiers — backed by interviews with supportive family members — who form the basis of Gabe Silverman and Fiona Dawson’s SXSW Audience Award-winning documentary. An initial meeting at the Pentagon leaves the quartet optimistic that the military’s trans-ban will be lifted. After all, anyone willing to put their lives on the line in defense of our country should be allowed to use whatever damn pissoir they please. But with “Individual 1” currently riding herd, don’t expect a happy ending. One technical hiccup: like the laugh track informing viewers when’s the proper time to titter, the anxiety-wringing “pocket change dropping on piano wire” score plays similar havoc on the viewer’s emotions. Reception at 6 pm prior to screening. — Scott Marks