Jareena: Portrait of Hijra

Director: Prem Kalliat
Release Year: 1990

"Jareena: Portrait of a Hijra," a 1990 documentary directed by Prem Kalliat, offers a deeply intimate and thought-provoking exploration of the life of a hijra in India. This film takes the audience behind the curtains of a marginalized community, revealing the complexities, hardships, and social exclusion faced by hijras, a third gender recognized in Indian culture. Shot in the northern Indian city of Bangalore, this documentary not only focuses on the life of one individual, Jareena, but also paints a broader picture of the struggles encountered by tens of thousands of hijras living at the margins of society.

The Blank Point: What is Transsexualism?

Director: Xiao-Yen Wang
Release Year: 1990

The Blank Point (1990) is a deeply personal documentary by filmmaker Xiao-Yen Wang, who explores the delicate complexities of transsexualism through the lens of individuals undergoing gender transition. In this thought-provoking film, Wang offers a unique perspective on transsexualism, particularly from the vantage point of her background as a Chinese woman, where the concept of gender transition was both unknown and unfathomable at the time.

Joan Rivers Show: Carolyn Durrell (1990)

Director: The Joan Rivers Show
Release Year: 1990

The 1990 episode of The Joan Rivers Show, titled "Transexual Marriage," featured a groundbreaking and candid interview with Carolyn Durrell (also known as Carol Durell) and her husband, Bob. The conversation addressed complex issues surrounding gender identity, sexual orientation, and transsexual marriage, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into the lives of a couple whose relationship defied societal norms and expectations. The episode is a rare, raw exploration of transsexuality, offering personal insights into the challenges and experiences of a transgender woman and her heterosexual husband.

Phil Donahue Show: Caroline Cossey (1990)

Producer: The Phil Donahue Show

Release Year: 1990

In the early 1990s, the visibility of transgender individuals in mainstream media was limited, often overshadowed by stereotypes and misconceptions. Caroline Cossey’s groundbreaking appearance on the Donahue Show in 1990 marked a significant turning point in this narrative. As one of the first transgender women to participate in a talk show with a live audience in the United States, Cossey became a beacon of hope and resilience for transgender individuals around the world, advocating for acceptance, understanding, and dignity.

Paris Is Burning

Director: Jennie Livingston
Release Year: 1990

Released in 1990, Paris Is Burning, directed by Jennie Livingston, is widely considered one of the most significant documentaries in the history of queer cinema. The film offers an intimate, multifaceted portrayal of the vibrant and complex ball culture in New York City during the mid-1980s. Through its detailed exploration of the African-American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities that participated in this underground subculture, Paris Is Burning illuminates themes of race, class, gender, and sexuality in a society that often marginalized these communities. Over the decades since its release, the film has earned critical acclaim for its candid depiction of the resilience, creativity, and humor of its subjects, many of whom faced profound challenges including poverty, homophobia, transphobia, racism, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It also gave rise to broader discussions about the intersection of identity and performance in queer and drag cultures.