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QFFU x TranScreen: Blue ID (sold out)
September 7, 2023 @ 18:45 – 20:30
During the early stages of Rüzgar’s gender affirmation journey, transgender visibility in Turkey was virtually nonexistent. In his quest for information, he had to rely on translated YouTube videos about transitioning, as there were limited resources available in Turkish. This inspired Rüzgar to document his own transition, envisioning that in approximately six years, when he would be more comfortable in his own body, sharing his personal journey could be beneficial to other trans men in Turkey.
However, after six months of filming, an unexpected turn of events occurred when Rüzgar was exposed on Twitter. What was initially intended as a personal documentation of his gender affirmation process transformed into a documentary shedding light on the transphobic nature of Turkish mainstream media and conservative legislation. Despite this shift, the original intention of documenting the journey for himself and other trans men remains evident throughout the entire documentary. The style of the film stays true to Rüzgar’s personal journaling, utilizing home-style videos and introspective phone recordings to tell his story.
The creators of Blue ID faced a significant challenge in wanting to share Rüzgar’s story without perpetuating the hate he had encountered. As a result, the documentary refrains from showcasing the hateful media reports in their entirety, as the filmmakers chose not to give further exposure to the hateful and transphobic rhetoric.
Rosa Oomen, QFFU
On behalf of TranScreen, Laura will engage in a discussion about the media’s responsibility in representing marginalized communities, particularly transgender people. Joining her in this dialogue is Dr. Cyd Sturgess, an expert in Gender & Media Studies. They will explore the connection between media representation and topics related to gender diversity, specifically examining the context of the Dutch media landscape.
Synopsis
On October 4, 2012, a beaming Rüzgar Erkoçlar received his first testosterone injection, marking a joyous occasion in his gender affirmation journey. Previously a renowned actor in Turkey, Rüzgar aspired to lead a private life as a transgender man. Initially, things seemed promising with a new job at a bakery and the support of his family and friends. However, his world was turned upside down when he was inadvertently exposed on Twitter, thrusting his personal journey into the spotlight and triggering a media frenzy. Suddenly, Rüzgar found himself reluctantly becoming a symbol for the struggle of trans rights in Turkey.
Against this tumultuous backdrop, we accompany Rüzgar as he faces numerous challenges in his pursuit of an authentic life and obtaining his Blue ID
Film Facts
Original language title: Mavi Kimlik
Directed by: Burcu Melekoglu, Vuslat Karan
Year: 2022
Country: Turkey
Running time: 85 mins
Genre: Documentary
Language: Turkish
Subtitles: English
Awards: Winner of the Audience Award at IDFA
Content warning: Transphobia, cisnormative language and hate speech
Side program
On behalf of TranScreen, Laura will engage in a discussion about the media’s responsibility in representing marginalized communities, particularly transgender people. Joining her in this dialogue is Dr. Cyd Sturgess, an expert in Gender & Media Studies. They will explore the connection between media representation and topics related to gender diversity, specifically examining the context of the Dutch media landscape.