She's Got A Secret: Mimi Marks' Story

Producer: Ellen Fleysher
Editor: Monique Osterholt
Release Year: 1992 (to be confirmed)

"She's Got A Secret: Mimi Marks' Story" (1992) is a powerful documentary produced by Ellen Fleysher that captures the life of Mimi Marks, a transgender woman who made waves in the fashion and entertainment industries. The documentary not only chronicles her rise in the world of modeling but also explores her personal journey of transformation, navigating the complexities of identity, gender, and societal acceptance. Through interviews, candid moments, and her performances, She's Got A Secret provides a unique glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of a woman who defied expectations and carved a space for herself in the fashion world.

Mae Day: The Crumbling of a Documentary

Director: Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier
Release Year: 1992

"Mae Day: The Crumbling of a Documentary" (1992) is a fascinating exploration of what happens when a documentary project collapses in real-time. Directed by Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier, this film is precisely what its title suggests - a behind-the-scenes look at the unraveling of an ambitious documentary about a transsexual performer named Emelda Mae.

I Am My Own Woman

Director: Rosa von Praunheim
Release Year: 1992
Original title: Ich bin meine eigene Frau

"Ich bin meine eigene Frau" ("I Am My Own Woman") is a seminal documentary directed by Rosa von Praunheim, which tells the compelling life story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a German transgender icon and museum founder. Released in 1992, the film made waves internationally, earning praise for its candid portrayal of Charlotte’s extraordinary survival through turbulent political eras. This semi-documentary, blending dramatized re-enactments with real interviews, captures the resilience and complexity of Charlotte’s life as she navigated the challenges of living as a trans woman in Nazi Germany, East Germany under communist rule, and post-reunification Germany.

Sally Jessy Raphael Show: Fantasy Pageant

Director: Kit Carson
Release Year: 1992

The Sally Fantasy Female Pageant, a groundbreaking event featured on the Sally Jessy Raphael Show in 1992, brought some of the most iconic transgender women in the entertainment and pageantry world to a mainstream television audience. Hosted by Sally Jessy Raphael, the show invited viewers into the lives and aspirations of the participants, celebrating their beauty, talent, and resilience. The episode was monumental for its time, as it provided visibility to transgender women on a national stage, breaking barriers in both television and society.