Krow's TRANSformation

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Available Summary:

"Transitioning female-to-male and conquering the runways of Paris, follow Krow's remarkable journey to become his true authentic self." -IMDb.

Jack's Summary:

This is a gorgeous documentary. Krow Kian, a Canadian male model, documents his journey and his modelling career pre-transition and post-transition. His trans friends are also interviewed, and they share their own stories. Suicide, self-harm, dysphoria, and other struggles are addressed, but through the lens of a happy ending. Interviewed family members are supportive, and viewers get to see progress beyond early-transition turbulence. I'd definitely recommend this documentary to early-transition men, and to their families. Many steps are shown; coming out, starting testosterone, having a mastectomy, having a uterectomy, getting married, etc.

I really liked an interview Krow's mother gave, referencing an emotional moment that she had while her son was having surgery. She says, "I sat down, poured myself a drink, and said goodbye to my daughter. Then I poured myself another drink, and said hello to my son." I liked that the mother's grief didn't affect her support for Krow, and that she outwardly advocated for him and supported his decisions, while also nursing her own complex feelings.

The concept of grieving your child while they're still alive is a tricky one, because it's so often used as a weapon against trans people, to prevent us from transitioning and make us feel guilty for identities which we can't control. That isn't what happens in this documentary. What Krow's mother shows, in a moment of profound maturity, is that it's possible to support and love your child while also commemorating who they used to be, if you have attached any particular cultural meaning to your child's gender, and you will be losing that aspect due to a transition. She shows that a sense of loss doesn't mean you've actually lost your child, and you can still be there for them. I liked that this film made space for that nuance, all the while showing Krow being loved, supported, and defended by his mother.