Documentary ‘Let Us Be’ Examines Intersex Rights Across Three Countries
8 reported
Brazilian filmmaker Viviane D’Avilla’s documentary “Let Us Be” is having its world premiere at the Raindance Film Festival. The film follows intersex individuals in India, Brazil and the U.S., chronicling their journeys of self-discovery and exposing the human rights struggle against non-consensual surgeries performed on intersex children. D’Avilla’s interest began over a decade ago when she traveled to India and met members of the Indian Hijra community, a legally recognized third gender. She later connected with intersex activist Gopi Shankar, spending three months traveling across India, which led to her short film “Gopi.” For the feature, she enlisted subjects including Aanandh Rajappan, author and activist Hida Viloria, and Carolina Iara, the first intersex person elected to public office in Latin America. D’Avilla said it is “very important” to screen the film in the U.S. given current political challenges affecting LGBTQIA+ rights, stating “their rights are being taken away.” The film is a U.S.-Brazil co-production between Dona Rosa and Social Construct Films.
What’s reported
“Let Us Be” is having its world premiere at the Raindance Film Festival.
The documentary follows intersex individuals across India, Brazil and the U.S.
D’Avilla first encountered the Hijra community in India over a decade ago.
She spent three months traveling across India with intersex activist Gopi Shankar.
Subjects include Aanandh Rajappan, Hida Viloria, and Carolina Iara.
Carolina Iara is the first intersex person elected to public office in Latin America.
The film is a U.S.-Brazil co-production between Dona Rosa and Social Construct Films.
D’Avilla said it is “very important” to screen the film in the U.S. due to political challenges affecting LGBTQIA+ rights.
Misconceptions
The source article notes D’Avilla said there is confusion between being intersex and being transgender, and that they are very different experiences.
Key figures
Viviane D’Avilla, Brazilian photographer and filmmaker
Gopi Shankar, intersex activist
Aanandh Rajappan, Dalit and intersex person living in India
Hida Viloria, author and activist
Carolina Iara, first intersex person elected to public office in Latin America
Sources: Variety
