When it comes to documentaries, if you want to have a guaranteed audience, try hitting a niche that still fascinates people. Anything related to drag queens or transexualism does well at the festivals. As advanced as we are (or should be) as a society, people are still curious and occasionally shocked when they see a man in a dress.
TRINIDAD is the little conservative town in Colorado where more sex changes are performed than in any other part of the United States. This documentary is a capable, well constructed and, at times, moving piece of filmmaking that doesn't pander to the the standard "celebrate diversity" theme. Instead, it feels as if it's simply about "people" who are trying to get along in life and go about their business.
This well balanced doc first sets up a brief history of Trinidad, a former "frontier" town. We are introduced to Dr. Stanley Biber, who became the pioneer of "sex reassingment surgery" back in the sixties, remaining in the town for decades. He continued to perform the surgeries until passing away recently. The legacy he left was one of a quality approach to such procedures which are now being carried on by a new generation of surgeons, including Marci Bowers (a successful subject of the surgery herself). The other major structural spine of this film follows the progress of a post operative, privately run recovery center called "Morning Glow". It is operated by transexual Laura Ellis and her daughter. In the film we see the progress of the center as it struggles to get off the ground and find a way to fit in with the townspeople. A point of concern is whether or not the center will receive the blessing of Marci and the hospital administration. The bulk of the center's clientelle would be coming from the hospital.
Most people who have gotten to the point of gender reassignment have already travelled a long, painful road full of introspection and loneliness. When the procedure is over most of them are ready to move on with their lives. There aren't a lot of tears shed. There is humor and intelligent reflection though about what they have been through and how difficult the process has been for loved ones.
The moment that feels the most un-rehearsed and spontaneous in the film comes during the last act when Laura discusses her inability to obtain Marci's blessing concerning the progress of the Morning Glow center. The pained look on Laura's face as she discusses how Marci doesn't like her makes the viewer feel a deep sympathy. Laura also has second thoughts about her now completed surgery. Had she jumped in too fast? This moment makes TRINIDAD feel all the more authentic. Directors P.J. Raval and Jay Hodges seem unafraid to show the uncertain side of gender re-assignment surgery. Is the procedure really for everyone who thinks they need it? Perhaps not. One hopes that Laura finds a way to fit in with whatever community that embraces her in the future.
The best thing you can say about Trinidad is that while watching it one doesn't feel manipulated to "feel the pain of" or side with the transexual community. The filmmakers don't try to force us to side against the local townspeople either (some of whom show ignorance and intolerance in some of their opinions). Rather, I felt like I was being presented a balanced picture which was at times sad, at times funny, and at times was just about life and how we all want to live it on our own terms.