Transgeneration

Compiling all eight episodes from the Sundance Channel series profiling four transgendered college students, Transgeneration's subjects represent considerable diversity: Gabbie, a male-to-female sophomore at the University of Colorado at Boulder; T.J., a female-to-male grad student at Michigan State; Lucas, a female-to-male senior at Smith College; and Raci, a male-to-female freshman at California State in Los Angeles—two are Caucasian, one is a foreign student, and one is hearing-impaired. Taking a roughly chronological approach, the programs combine footage of the principals—shot spontaneously (or ostensibly so)—with interview excerpts to illustrate the hurdles they must overcome in assimilating into the wider campus community while remaining true to themselves. In the process, various questions are raised: How much should be revealed to other students, and when? What are the health risks of reassignment surgery? How involved should one become in political activism? In addition, the series records some tense but moving moments when the subjects interact with their parents and grandparents. While not exactly revolutionary (consider the high profile feature film Transamerica), and sporting only modest production values, Transgeneration is nevertheless a realistic and sympathetic presentation that can't help but raise awareness of the difficulties faced, often very courageously, by young people considering sex changes. DVD extras include extended/deleted scenes. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)