Documentary On Gender Identity At OUThouse

dublin | arts and media | event notice Monday February 28, 2005 14:04 by Tobie* - OUThouse community centre

Film night at OUThouse:
Saturday March 5th 4:30
followed by discussion with director

“WRITTEN ON THE SOUL" by Carol O’Keeffe


This is a 50 minute documentary that commits to taking a fresh look at the complex issue of gender identity
in an Irish context. Three individuals that occupy various positions on the gender spectrum are interviewed. Lucie/Richard and Diane, both Cork based and Stephen based in Dublin all dare to transgress the strict social dichotomy between male and female, in
one way or another. The documentary is a synthesis of their personal testimonies regarding their unique
gender journeys. The traditional frameworks for gender identity discussions, such as medical science,
psychology and sociology remain in the background, as the subjects essentially speak for themselves about
their extraordinary decisions but ultimately ordinary lives. The perennial questions: "What is gender identity?" and "Where is it located in the individual?" are also posed. Short sequences of abstract images and voice over interrupt the literal narrative in an attempt to understand these concepts. The gender spectrum in all its complexity and diversity is
presented to the viewer in these 50 minutes.