The Pearl

Director: Jessica Dimmock and Christopher LaMarca
Release Year: 2016

The Pearl, a 2016 documentary directed by Jessica Dimmock and Christopher LaMarca, offers a cinematic exploration of the lives of four transgender women who come out in their senior years. Set against the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest's logging towns, the documentary provides an intimate and visceral look into what it means to transition late in life, leaving behind the identity of being a man and embracing a new, authentic self. The film takes a unique, observational approach to storytelling, giving us a glimpse into the lives of these women through their daily activities rather than relying heavily on confessional interviews.

 

The Pearl takes on an almost vérité style, where the camera watches the women navigate their everyday lives, letting their actions speak for themselves. While the film does occasionally include voiceover narration, the personal struggles and emotional challenges faced by the women are often left unsaid. Through their stories, we witness the raw, unspoken emotions surrounding their transitions. The four main subjects of the film - Nina, Amy, Krystal, and Jodie - each come from different backgrounds, with their own stories, experiences, and struggles. Nina, a pizza delivery driver, identifies as a transgender woman but struggles with how to express her true self to her wife of nearly 40 years. Amy, the oldest of the group, has lost her wife and opens her home to other trans people who seek support and community. Krystal and Jodie are two former brothers who now identify as sisters. The film begins with the group attending the Esprit Conference, an event for transgender women in northern Washington, and from there, it follows their separate journeys of self-discovery and transition. The film’s approach, focusing more on the women’s actions than their words, has drawn mixed responses. While their lives and stories are inherently fascinating and powerful, the filmmakers' choice to avoid more direct interviews or in-depth discussions leaves much unsaid.

 

The documentary provides glimpses of their transitions, but it often glosses over the emotional complexity that would have enriched their stories. The emotional journey of coming out and transitioning, particularly later in life, is multifaceted and profound. Yet, The Pearl sometimes feels like it fails to fully capture or explore the depth of these experiences. One of the major points of criticism is the treatment of Amy, who receives little screen time exploring the complexities of her past. In particular, the film introduces Amy in a hospital bed in Bangkok after undergoing sex reassignment surgery, but this moment feels disconnected and jarring. There is little buildup to this scene, and the abruptness of the presentation leaves the audience struggling to fully understand the significance of this moment in Amy's journey. Moreover, Amy's past, including her relationship with her wife, who has since passed away, is barely touched upon. There is little exploration of how her wife may have supported or reacted to Amy’s decision to transition. Similarly, Nina hints at the struggles with her partner but never fully addresses what their relationship looks like, or how it evolved after Nina’s transition. Though the film doesn't give the women the opportunity to fully open up about their experiences, there are moments where the quiet simplicity of their lives allows for the truth to come through.

 

A particularly compelling moment comes toward the end of the film when Nina's mother arrives to meet her for the first time as her true self. This interaction, though brief, is a powerful moment of connection that allows the audience to see the vulnerability and depth of Nina’s journey in a way that the rest of the documentary often misses. Despite the occasional poignant moments, much of The Pearl feels disjointed and abstract. The decision to present the women’s stories in a fragmented manner, without the necessary context or build-up, leaves the audience grappling with the documentary's unclear narrative. This disconnection can be particularly frustrating, especially since the subjects themselves have fascinating, rich stories to tell. At the 2016 True/False Film Festival, after the premiere of The Pearl, the four transgender women shared their personal stories with the audience. In just 20 minutes of discussion, they revealed more about their lives and experiences than the documentary manages to convey over the course of its runtime. This contrast highlights a missed opportunity for the filmmakers to let their subjects' voices truly shine. It becomes evident that these women have valuable perspectives, and the film would have benefited from giving them more space to speak for themselves.

 

Nevertheless, The Pearl offers a visually stunning portrayal of the women’s lives. The Pacific Northwest’s rugged landscapes and post-industrial logging towns serve as a fitting backdrop to the raw, intimate stories of these women coming to terms with their true identities. The film captures quiet, intimate moments in beautifully lit interiors, creating a warm, contemplative atmosphere that draws the viewer into the world of these transgender women. Though the documentary sometimes falters in its execution, it remains an empathetic portrait of a community of older transgender women coming out for the first time in their fifties and sixties. 

 

The film paints a delicate portrait of their journey, marked by moments of uncertainty, longing, and quiet courage. It explores the complexity of coming out later in life, at an age when society's expectations and the pressures of past identities weigh heavily on the individual. The Pearl captures the emotional and physical challenges faced by transgender women who, after years of living in secrecy and denial, finally embrace their true selves. The women of the film have lived as men for most of their lives, achieved success in their male identities, and now find themselves grappling with the burden of a hidden truth that they can no longer suppress. Their struggles are not just internal but also external, as they navigate relationships, societal expectations, and personal history. The difficulty of making such a transition, especially after decades of living in a role that society expects, is a central theme of the film.

 

One of the most poignant aspects of The Pearl is its exploration of the transgender community, particularly the older generation of transgender women. The film focuses on the Esprit Conference, an annual gathering in the northernmost part of Washington, where transgender women who have lived most of their lives in secrecy come together. The event serves as a space for these women to express their true identities, many for the first time in public. Through this conference, the women in The Pearl gain a sense of belonging and community, something that is often hard to come by in a world that has historically marginalized transgender people. As the film progresses, we follow the four women over the course of nearly three years as they navigate their transitions. Each woman’s journey is different, and their challenges and triumphs reflect the unique experiences of transgender individuals at various stages of their lives. The film provides a window into the process of self-discovery and self-acceptance, as these women seek to reconcile their past lives with their current truths.

 

Despite its flaws, The Pearl is an important documentary because it sheds light on a part of the transgender community that is often overlooked - the older transgender women who transition later in life. Their stories are rarely told, and their experiences are frequently overshadowed by the more visible narratives of younger transgender people. Through the intimate lens of Dimmock and LaMarca, The Pearl brings these voices to the forefront, offering a glimpse into the complexities of their lives, struggles, and triumphs. Ultimately, while The Pearl may not fully capture the richness of its subjects' stories, it does provide a much-needed platform for older transgender women to share their experiences. The film’s understated, intimate approach allows the women’s personal journeys to take center stage, offering a rare and valuable portrait of their lives. In doing so, The Pearl contributes to the larger conversation about transgender identity, aging, and the courage it takes to live as one's true self, regardless of age or circumstance.

 

via: Vimeo

 thepearlfilm.com and theguardian.com

Image credits: Vimeo