Sapir

Director: Liran Atzmor
Release Year: 2024

In the evolving landscape of global sports, where the LGBTQ community continues to gain visibility and fight for recognition, the 2024 documentary Sapir directed by Liran Atzmor provides an intimate and deeply personal glimpse into the life of Sapir Berman, a trailblazer in the Israeli professional football league.

 

Through this documentary, we witness not only Sapir’s journey as a transgender woman but also her unwavering dedication to remaining in the profession she loves despite the challenges she faces during her gender transition. Born near Haifa, Sapir began her career as a soccer player, and her talent quickly propelled her to the top. At the age of 26, she was appointed as a referee in the Israeli Premier League, a position she held while still living in the closet. It wasn’t until later that Sapir made a public announcement: “I am a woman, and I always have been.” This moment marked the beginning of a long and difficult journey of balancing her career with her personal transformation. Today, Sapir remains the only female referee among a group of 20 male referees in Israel’s Premier League, a remarkable achievement in a field where gender diversity has been historically minimal.

 

Sapir is not just a story of her success, but also a window into the complexities of navigating a highly demanding career while undergoing hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery. Liran Atzmor's film follows Sapir closely, capturing her life both on and off the field. The documentary showcases her resilience in maintaining a rigorous fitness regimen that enables her to stay competitive among the top referees while also dealing with the physical and emotional toll of her transition. One of the most compelling aspects of the documentary is its exploration of Sapir’s relentless drive to pursue her professional dreams, while simultaneously claiming her identity as a woman. Atzmor offers viewers intimate access to Sapir’s life, providing a sensitive and nuanced portrayal of an individual living life on her own terms. She remains professional, assertive, and determined - qualities that have earned her respect in the world of football refereeing. Sapir's humor and infectious personality further contribute to the film’s charm, making her an engaging and likable figure. However, Sapir has been met with mixed reviews.

 

Some critics have pointed out that the film lacks conflict and emotional depth, which could have drawn the audience closer to Sapir’s personal struggles. The film presents a narrative in which Sapir is supported by a loving family, including a father who accepts her unconditionally and a mother who has no issues with her transition. In fact, Sapir’s journey is relatively free from the kind of dramatic obstacles that typically drive narratives in biographical films. Even the challenges Sapir faces in the world of sports - where her gender transition is an important part of her story - are handled with humor and grace. One of the few moments of true emotional tension comes when Sapir’s physical fitness, which is crucial for her role as a referee, is impacted by her hormone treatments. This moment is a poignant reflection of the complex intersection between gender reassignment and physical performance in high-stakes professional environments. Yet, this is the only instance in the documentary where the conflict feels truly substantial. As a result, some viewers may feel that the film meanders without fully exploring the deeper implications of Sapir’s journey. Despite these critiques, the documentary offers an important perspective on the experience of being a transgender woman in a male-dominated profession. 

 

Sapir sheds light on the subtle but powerful dynamics between Sapir and her colleagues, including one particularly significant scene with Mirit, a longtime referee and close friend. During a training session, Mirit comments on the challenges Sapir faces as she navigates her transition, pointing out the physical differences that have emerged since Sapir began hormone therapy. In a moment of frank honesty, Mirit shares her personal feelings about Sapir’s transition, revealing how it has affected her position in the male-dominated football world. The tension in this exchange highlights a broader theme: the difficulties both Sapir and Mirit face as women within a system that was primarily designed for men. In addition to exploring Sapir’s personal growth, the documentary also touches on broader issues of gender, equality, and the pervasive influence of transphobia in professional sports. Through Sapir’s story, Atzmor subtly confronts the challenges faced by transgender individuals in a world that often sees them as outsiders.

 

The documentary is a reflection on the need for greater inclusivity and equal opportunities in sports - specifically in terms of resources and recognition. It raises questions about fairness and the significance of having women, both cisgender and transgender, participating in what have traditionally been male-dominated fields. The film also draws attention to the struggles women face in sports, especially when competing in male-dominated leagues. Sapir’s presence in the Premier League has raised questions about gender roles in football, and Mirit’s perspective on the situation adds an important layer to the narrative. Mirit feels that Sapir’s arrival disrupted a system that had been previously “safe” for her as a cisgender woman, and there’s an underlying tension about whether Sapir’s gender reassignment challenges the existing hierarchies in sports. In Mirit’s view, Sapir’s transition has altered the playing field in subtle but significant ways. This conversation between the two women speaks to the broader struggles of women in sports, whether cisgender or transgender, to find their place in a system that has often been exclusive and resistant to change.

 

The documentary also raises important questions about how we define fairness in sports. Is it fair for a transgender woman to compete alongside cisgender women, particularly in high-level competitions? Should we rethink the very concept of gender segregation in sports, or is it a necessary measure to ensure equal competition? These are questions that the film doesn’t attempt to answer definitively, but instead opens up for discussion, encouraging viewers to reflect on the deeper issues of equality and inclusivity in the world of professional sports. At the same time, Sapir can be seen as an opportunity to reflect on the systemic issues that underlie many of the conflicts in the film. Both Sapir and Mirit are navigating a system that has been designed for men, and their struggles reflect the broader difficulties women face in trying to break through in male-dominated fields. Whether it’s football, politics, or the workplace, women everywhere continue to fight for equal recognition and opportunities. Sapir is a microcosm of that struggle, encapsulating the challenges and triumphs of an individual who is defying societal norms to pursue her passion.

 

Ultimately, the film portrays Sapir as a woman who is determined to make her mark in the world of professional sports while staying true to herself. In a system that has not always been kind to women, Sapir’s resilience and dedication are truly inspiring. While Sapir may not delve deeply into the conflicts and struggles that many transgender individuals face, it remains an important and powerful portrayal of one woman’s journey toward self-acceptance and her determination to be both a successful referee and a proud transgender woman. Atzmor’s documentary presents Sapir’s story with warmth and sensitivity, offering a portrait of a remarkable individual who has overcome significant barriers to achieve her dreams. While the film may not have explored all the complexities of Sapir’s experience in great detail, it still serves as a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about gender, equality, and the future of sports. By focusing on Sapir’s personal journey, Sapir highlights the importance of perseverance, self-acceptance, and the need for inclusivity in all aspects of life.

 

In conclusion, Sapir is a film that tells a story of personal growth, identity, and professional ambition, all set against the backdrop of a changing world where the fight for gender equality in sports is ongoing. Through the lens of Sapir’s journey, the documentary invites viewers to reflect on the importance of acceptance, both on and off the field, and challenges us to think critically about the structures that define sports and society. It is a story of one woman’s determination to live authentically, and in doing so, she inspires others to do the same.

 

via: youtube

 vanleer.org.il and imdb

Image credits: YouTube