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Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012
From: Bfriend <bfriend@ucwesleyadelaide.org.au>
Subject: Orchids screens on
ABC1 29/1/12
Hi Everyone
Here is a screening that may be of interest to some
- 29th of January 2012 on
ABC1 @ 10pm
'Hermaphrodite' is a word used to describe
Phoebe, a woman with a men's chromosomes. Wherever
possible, Phoebe actively seeks to disrupt the cataloging
with as much honesty and humour as she can. In her
film 'Orchids' she comes clean on her journey of self-discovery
to embrace her future and reconcile the past shame
and family secrecy surrounding her intersex condition.
Despite her mother’s refusal to be in the film,
Phoebe hits the road...
Phoebe’s happy and carefree childhood came to
an abrupt end at puberty when she was told she would
never menstruate nor have children. The reasons why
were never discussed and the topic as such remained
taboo. At the age of 17, her mother felt Phoebe was
old enough to understand the true nature of her body
and the family secret was finally revealed. Phoebe
then faced an orchidectomy, invasive surgery to remove
her undescended testes, the emotional scars of which
are still raw today. Phoebe’s road trip around
Australia exposes her to the stories of other intersex
people and holds a mirror to her own experience. She
learns valuable lessons in resilience and healing
but also sees the pervasive impact her condition has
on all her relationships.
At home, Phoebe and James want to start a family but
dealing with infertility and the stress of the adoption
process puts pressure on their marriage. Phoebe also
starts to understand the difficult decisions her parents
faced and is excited but apprehensive when they eventually
agree to be interviewed. Will talking openly with
her mother give Phoebe the answers she has been looking
for?
Director’s Statement
This is my story. It’s a story of how my body
became a site of pain, confusion and secrecy for me
and for my family. Not because it is diseased or dysfunctional
but because society deemed it to be abnormal.
I have Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS). I am
a woman with 46XY (male) chromosomes. Without a doubt,
I have struggled with unwarranted categorisation and
medical interference. Wherever possible, I actively
seek to disrupt this cataloging and meddling with
as much honesty and humour as I can muster. It’s
the reason why I wanted to make this film.
I chose the title, Orchids, as these ornamental flowers
are an especially potent symbol for intersex people.
The etymology of the word “orchid” derives
from the Greek orkhis, meaning “testicle”.
Also many people with AIS undergo an orchidectomy,
which is the removal of the internal testes to reduce
the risk of cancer. Thus they often refer to themselves
as “orchids” in their own life- writing.
I have appropriated these flowers as a resonant visual
signifier throughout my documentary.
On a professional and personal level, my film has
presented me with many challenges. At an early stage
of research and development, I made a conscious decision
the film should be largely autobiographical. This
was important for me on a number of levels and represented
a huge step in terms of self-confidence and courage.
In my early life, my condition was kept a secret from
me. I was confused and told to keep quiet about who
and what I was. I was subjected to medical scrutiny,
surgery and 12 pathology. 'Orchids - My Intersex Adventure'
has allowed me to reflect on the shame and trauma
of my coming-of-age experience and examine why “coming
out” continues to be extremely challenging.
After speaking with many intersex men and women for
many years, it has become evident to me most are happy
to be intersex but unhappy with the attendant “social”
problems. Every day they deal with the stigma of being
intersex, being seen as “different” or “freakish”
by society, and treated by doctors and family members
accordingly. Medical treatment contributes greatly
to a sense of social inferiority and shame, as cosmetic
surgery seeks to normalise aberrant bodies, pusing
individuals with intersex towards either (more) male
or female. In effect, such pathology represents a
social shift to sequester intersex people from the
normal population. 'Orchids - My Intersex Adventure'
is a portrait of survival and courage, revising societal
and historical perspectives of intersex by creating
understandings of difference, which originate from
a highly subjective space.
I hope my narrative will engage and move audiences.
'Orchids - My Intersex Adventure' presents the struggles
and triumphs of other intersex people throughout Australia.
However, most of all, it’s a potent story of
family, acknowledging the past, and moving into the
future with love and acceptance.
"If there were an Academy Award category called
"Best Achievement in No-Budget One-hour Documentary
Straight from the Depth of One's Soul", Phoebe
Hart's Orchids: My Intersex Adventure would bag the
little gold statue with the ambiguous genitalia. Oscar
the orchid would be hers. It's an extraordinary piece
of filmmaking, filled with family revelations and
a beautiful twist ending that could rival Frank Capra
for emotional pull." Trent Dalton, Q Weekend
"Personally I could not imagine a better film
ever being made on coming to terms with a condition
like AIS. It's wildly funny in parts but at the same
time it's very intimate and deeply moving. I can't
stop thinking about it." Professor Garry Warne
AM, Senior Endocrinologist, The Royal Children's Hospital,
Melbourne
Melbourne (ATOM Award), Brisbane (Audience Award),
Sydney, Adelaide, Auckland, Dungog, San Francisco,
Austin, Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian FF, New York
Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual & Transgender FF, Vancouver
Queer FF, Raindance, Hamburg International Queer FF
(2nd price best documentary), Copenhagen (best documentary),
Spokane Int. LGBT FF (John Deen Memorial Award), IF
Awards Sydney (nominated for best documentary), AACTA
Awards Australia (nomination for best documentary
under 1h).
Bfriend
UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide, SA
Email: bfriend@ucwesleyadelaide.org.au
Web: www.ucwesleyadelaide.org.au
----- Original Message -----
From: AIS Support Group Australia<mailto:aissgaustralia@gmail.com>
To: AIS Support Group Australia<mailto:aissgaustralia@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:43 AM
Subject: Fwd: Orchids screens on ABC1 29/1/12
Orchids is about to be screened nationally across
Australia - read on for more details.
Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in
your browser:
<http://us2.campaignarchive1.com/?u=6229aa558cd6e2629ec654f28&id=5f98795be1&e=f13d6cbb1f>.
Orchids on the telly:
[http://www.queerscreen.com.au/images/Orchid-My-Intersex-Adventure.jpg]
Pen the date in your diary now: at 10pm Sunday 29
January 2012 Orchids: My Intersex Adventure will be
broadcast on ABC1 for the very first time.
Already, publicity is building up prior to broadcast.
So far, Phoebe and family have posed for photos which
will appear in New Idea magazine. Look out for interviews
and pics also in West Australian, Sydney Star Observer,
Body+Soul (Sydney Telegraph), LGBT street press and
'Life Matters' on Radio National.
Order the Orchids DVD
Orchids: My Intersex Adventure on DVD is now available.
Please reply email to this newsletter to request an
order form.
New Screenings
There are a few new dates for festival screenings
of Orchids:
* ReelOut Film Festival - 31 January 2012, Kingston
Ontario, CANADA
* FIFO International Oceanian Documentary Film Festival
- 15:45 8 February (Petit Theatre), 10:40 10 February
(Grand Theatre) & 16:00 12 February (Petit Theatre),
TAHITI
See you again soon....
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