Born to Be

(USA / 2019 / Directed by Tania Cypriano)

Born to Be follows the work of Dr. Jess Ting at Mount Sinai, where transgender and gender non-binary people have access to quality gender-affirming care for the first time ever in NY City. Offering direct and impactful encounters with its subjects, Tania Cypriano’s documentary presents an elegant awareness of the issues at play as it explores the importance of this groundbreaking work for patients’ lives.

Dr. Ting’s floppy hair, spectacles, and laid-back manner could as easily belong to a downtown artist as to a renowned surgeon, and there’s truth to that impression. Ting was a classical double-bassist at Juilliard before switching to medicine due to pressure from his family. Later in life, he was comfortably established as a plastic surgeon when the challenge of transgender medicine came along and gave him a new mountain to conquer. While the film offers viewers a fascinating understanding of the medical issues and innovations employed in Ting’s work, it also conveys the meaning gender-affirming operations have for the people undergoing them. Focusing on 5 patients, the film represents a spectrum of people of different races, ages, and backgrounds who are all committed to their quests for self-transformation. Cashmere was once a part of the ball culture depicted in Jenny Livingston’s 1990 documentary Paris is Burning and seems to personify decades of NY City transgender experience. Jordan is non-binary and, with their nurturing partner sweetly by their side, finally has the support they need to take the next step in their transition. Garnet moved to NY City to transition but still has issues with depression, despite having the support of her family. Shawn signed up for a new type of surgery pioneered by Dr. Ting with the help of brave patients like himself. And Mahogany was once a successful male model but sacrificed her career to begin life as the woman she is. Through their stories, humanity, joys, and hardships, Born to Be addresses the nuances and complexities of gender, and the human right to define oneself.

Unrated / 1 hr 32 mins.