Unique

Director: Nachum Mochiach
Release Year: 2020

Directed by Nachum Mochiach, Unique is a poignant documentary that captures the life of Gili Basson, a transgender woman from Israel who embarks on a transformative journey of self-realization. The 52-minute film chronicles Basson’s struggles and triumphs, focusing on her personal and professional life as she navigates the challenges of living as a transgender woman in Tel Aviv, Israel. From a young age, Gili Basson felt that she was trapped in the wrong body. For years, she lived with a sense of confusion and dissonance, unsure of how to reconcile her inner identity with the world around her. When she turned 30, Gili finally made the bold decision to undergo gender reassignment surgery, an irreversible step towards living authentically. Since then, she has been on a journey not only to adjust to her new body and identity but also to find a way to live that is true to herself - balancing her personal aspirations with her career ambitions.

 

The documentary dives deep into Gili’s life, showing the ups and downs of her transformation, both physically and mentally. It highlights her ongoing search for personal fulfillment, which spans across her career, relationships, and daily life. One of the central themes of the film is the struggle for recognition and acceptance in a society that is still coming to terms with the complexities of gender identity. The documentary opens with Gili navigating through a bustling crowd, her figure blending in with the masses as a voiceover plays. On the phone, she discusses her upcoming interview for a television program, where she reflects on the 2015 film The Danish Girl - a fictionalized portrayal of Lili Elbe, one of the first people to undergo gender confirmation surgery. Gili explains that she was drawn to the film because of its historical context, but found that Lili’s experience resonated deeply with her own struggles. Despite the advances made in gender and sexual rights, Gili notes that the story is still painfully relevant today. A major focus of Unique is the gradual shift in society’s attitudes toward transgender people, as reflected through Gili’s personal experiences.

 

Born in a male body in Beer Sheva, she spent her childhood alternating between living with her family in Beer Sheva during the week and spending weekends with relatives in Givatayim. It was during this time that Gili began to notice how different her behavior was from societal expectations, particularly in terms of her interest in fashion, long hair, and feminine clothing. Though her family tried to explain these traits as mere eccentricities, Gili faced misunderstanding and rejection from both family and peers. As a child, Gili was fascinated by the idea of femininity. She particularly loved the animated film The Little Mermaid and would fantasize about being the character Ariel, a desire that her family did not encourage. Her mother would chastise her for imagining herself as a princess, while other family members and peers would mock her for her behavior. This lack of understanding created a deep sense of isolation for Gili as she grew up. When Gili reached adolescence, her interest in fashion grew even stronger. She began experimenting with different styles and expressing herself through clothing, but this too brought challenges. She recalls that her fashion choices were often met with ridicule and punishment, especially from schoolmates. Even her mother struggled to accept Gili’s identity, urging her not to dress in a feminine manner.

 

At one point, when Gili began performing as a drag artist, her mother feared she was heading down the same path as Israeli pop icon Dana International, a transgender woman famous for winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998. However, Gili found a creative outlet in Tel Aviv, the fashion capital of Israel. It was here that she created her stage persona, Bloody Marry, which allowed her to express herself fully in the world of drag. Performing in this capacity allowed Gili to step outside societal constraints and explore her identity with more freedom. "When I decided to create a female persona, I created Bloody Marry to start performing," she shares in the film. This decision marked a turning point for Gili, as it gave her a space to express her true self through the arts, without the expectations of gender. Yet, despite her success in the drag scene, Gili faced ongoing challenges in her personal life, particularly in her relationships with men. Though she was free to perform as Bloody Marry and express herself openly, Gili realized that the social stigma surrounding transgender people still had a significant impact on her dating life. She shares a painful story of a man she loved deeply, someone she envisioned having a family with. But when the relationship ended, he explained that he could not introduce her to his family because she was a transgender woman. 

 

This heartbreaking revelation highlights the limitations of societal acceptance, even in relationships. In addition to the personal challenges Gili faces, Unique doesn’t shy away from discussing the more intimate and difficult aspects of transitioning. One of the most taboo subjects in the transgender community is the process of post-surgery vaginal dilation, a necessary part of gender confirmation surgery. Gili opens up about the physical pain and emotional struggle she endured during these sessions, acknowledging that it was a painful and exhausting process that required immense strength and perseverance. 

 

The documentary also delves into Gili's diverse career as a model, actress, and costume designer. Gili is a multifaceted individual who has achieved significant success in the fashion and entertainment industries. She works as a costume designer, creating stage outfits for drag queens, pole dancers, strippers, and performers of all kinds. She also hosts bachelorette parties and performs as a dancer at nightclubs, but her true passion lies in the avant-garde, fantasy world of fashion. “I use the fashion world that is full of glitter and glam to discover myself and the woman I want to become,” Gili reflects. Her talent for costume design eventually led to her participation in the Shoshka Couture Fashion Show in Tel Aviv, where she showcased her creations. She was later invited to appear on The Beauty Dictionary on Channel 10, further cementing her place in Israel’s fashion world. Despite her success, Gili remains humble and focused on her goals, saying, “People know that I am talented in this area, but I would like to grow from here.”

 

Throughout the documentary, Gili raises important questions about the nature of gender, societal expectations, and the rights of transgender individuals. She points out the contradictions in how society treats women who are born without a womb, such as those who are infertile or who choose not to have children. Gili argues that she, too, is a woman without a womb, yet society denies her many rights that are granted to others in similar situations. She asks, “Why can a barren woman adopt a child or use a surrogate, but I cannot? I am also a woman without a womb.” Through her journey, Gili challenges the conventional boundaries of gender and identity. She has faced rejection and struggled with acceptance, both from society and from within the transgender community. But she has also found her voice, using her experiences to empower others and spark important conversations about gender, rights, and equality.

 

In one of the most emotional moments of the documentary, Gili reflects on the support she received from her mother, who, despite her initial resistance, eventually came to accept Gili’s true identity. “My mother wanted a girl and got one. It took her 30 years, but she got one,” Gili says, a bittersweet acknowledgment of the long, difficult journey to acceptance. Unique is a powerful and heartfelt documentary that offers an intimate look at the life of a transgender woman who has fought to become her true self. It is a story of resilience, self-discovery, and the ongoing battle for acceptance in a world that is still learning to embrace gender fluidity and diversity. Through Gili Basson’s journey, Unique invites us to reflect on our own perceptions of identity and the importance of living authentically, no matter the challenges we may face.

 

via: youtube

 filmbuff.org.in and imdb

Image credits: YouTube