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An Iranian-American trans man travels back in time to an LGBTQ+ archive to understand his sexuality. He encounters his past and present self during an erotic journey of self-discovery. This is a documentary about queer transgender people who transition from female to male and female to male. It deals primarily with life after transition, with little emphasis on the transition process itself. It also deals with those whose physical orientation leans toward male. There are two main categories of subjects. One is Lou Sullivan, an F-to-M trans activist who was also a pioneer in identifying as gay. He is represented by several excerpts from interviews he gave on television, as well as the writings of one of his correspondents. The other is a series of interviews with various trans people of different presentations and anatomies: one male-identifying subject insisted on keeping his vagina. They often have difficulty finding intimate partners, although Trans Night at gay public baths is a great help, as they do not have to explain themselves. This is wrapped up in a narrative drama. An Iranian-American trans male (who left Iran shortly after the revolution) goes to a queer archive in Chicago to do research and befriends a younger, more childlike trans crew member. The Iranian angle is heightened by discussions over a plate of Iranian “omelette.” This hybrid approach added interest and made the film feel like more than just a dry documentary. I saw it as part of a film festival, with the cast and director present. The director mentioned that the Iranian actor helped make a short “proof of concept” to apply for funding and they kept it, with Iranian touches added to the script. The other actor was an activist in his own right and his role was written with him in mind.

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