Transit Havana

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Available Summary:

"Each year in Cuba, five people are selected for gender-confirmation surgery, leaving many more waiting for their opportunity. Daniel Abma’s documentary Transit Havana follows three Cubans over a year of anticipation and challenges, some related to the surgery and some related to daily life. In a distinctive environment, themes of self-acceptance and fulfillment are universal. Both celebratory and, at times, difficult, the film portrays the connected but vastly different lives of Juani, Malú, and Odette. Juani, the self-identified “first transsexual of Cuba,” was an original patient in the government-run program, but he hopes for an additional chance to improve his medical transition. Malú, a community advocate and educator for trans rights and inclusion, is known and largely accepted by her community, yet she has waited years to be selected. Odette, a former military tank operator who is now a goatherd, struggles to align her own sense of self with the vehement intolerance of her family and church—a conflict that threatens her chances for surgery. Transit Havana also touches on Mariela Castro in her role as Director of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education. Castro’s drive to integrate trans people into all aspects of Cuban society is the political force behind the surgical program, as well as a manifestation of her vision of inclusive human rights. Interspersed with shots of Havana life, this film explores the complexities of culture and desire as the three subjects wait to hear if this is their year." -Frameline.

Jack's Summary:

The three trans people followed in this documentary are Juani Santos Peréz (a trans man), Malú Caño Valladeres (a trans woman), and Giselle Odette Diógenes Domínguez Rodríguez (a trans woman). The trans women are both significantly younger than Juani, and are experiencing immense emotional difficulties due to lack of access to sex reassignment surgery. Both women are hoping to undergo vaginoplasty/orchiectomy, whereas Juani is waiting to undergo an additional stage of bottom surgery.

It's clear from the documentary that, while Juani has a difficult life, he is positive, resilient, and joyful. He dances enthusiastically with others, describes falling in love towards the end of the film, and sings along with his neighbour's music rather than complaining about the unwanted noise. All in all, a beautiful portrait of an older trans man's happiness and second lease on life.

In terms of FTM history, this is a crucially important and very touching documentary. I would highly recommend this film to trans guys who struggle to imagine life as older men, and may have been deprived of older role models who have survived and successfully tackled gender dysphoria. I would also recommend this film to older men who have not yet transitioned. There isn't an expiry date on being your true self!

While Juani clearly still experiences hardships and doesn't have a perfect life, he was able to have sex reassignment surgery at an advanced age (in surgical terms, anyway) and consequently exudes a happiness that is quite inspiring.

By contrast, the trans women in Transit Havana are in the thick of their struggles. Any abuse, discrimination, or suicidal ideation which may have occurred in Juani's past isn't a part of this documentary, whereas the trans female interviewees are filmed during what are potentially the darkest periods of their lives.

Giselle's experiences are particularly heartbreaking to watch. She devotes herself to caring for her grandmother, who declares that Giselle isn't a real woman and insists that Giselle should not undergo surgery. Giselle's mother is similarly disapproving, and (for some bizarre, awful reason) she is let into Giselle's hospital room as the trans woman awaits surgery. She misgenders and demeans Giselle, while the doctors defend her attitude and speak about Giselle as if the young woman herself is not there. This, combined with a hostile phone call from Giselle's church, results in Giselle becoming so distressed that the surgeons will not proceed with her operation. It's an utterly shattering series of scenes.

Malú, the other trans female interviewee, is not supportive of Giselle. After Giselle is refused surgery on the basis of emotional instability (caused by transphobic, religious bigots), Malú spreads the rumour that Giselle voluntarily walked out of the operating room, did not want surgery, and is a nutcase.

This documentary shows the intracommunity conflict which is perhaps inevitable when desperate, dysphoric people are competing for limited surgery spots, with only five individuals operated on each year in Cuba (that may have changed since this documentary was filmed). Resentment and dismissiveness is evident in this film, alongside the solidarity which is apparent throughout other interactions. These are people who are suffering.

Heck, even in my area (which is in a very different situation to Cuba), I have encountered intracommunity conflict and personal disagreements, so Transit Havana just lends credence to the idea that trans communities are not a monolith. We aren't all best friends, we don't all agree, and we don't always like each other.

Malú herself is a sex worker who had a traumatic start to life, suffering physical and emotional abuse at her father's hand, being incarcerated at least once, and fleeing home at a young age. She has been waiting for sex reassignment surgery for years, and has no control over when she will be chosen for an operation. During the film, she is misgendered and deadnamed by her family members.

As a resident of a developed Western country, I had access to sex change procedures after only a few years on waitlists. Getting to that point wasn't easy, and I did experience discrimination and hostility from healthcare workers along the way, but my circumstances are fortunate compared to those of Juani, Malú, and Giselle. I think it's hugely important that trans people in wealthier nations do not forget about trans people in less wealthy nations, or nations that are struggling. For that reason alone, Transit Havana is recommended viewing, to say nothing of how beautiful I find Juani's journey. I would love another documentary, dedicated to him. And I hope the two young women who starred in this documentary are happier, nowadays. I hope they're both still alive.