MONTREAL, February 12, 2024 — Photographer Laurence Philomène is challenging conventional notions of representation with deeply personal and vibrantly colored portraits, and a new documentary, Larry (They/Them), offers an intimate look at their life and work. The film, directed by Catherine Legault, premieres on True Story on February 13th.
A Palette of Joy in a World of Restriction
The documentary captures Philomène’s creative process and daily life, offering a radical counter-narrative to the increasing censorship of gender non-conforming expression.
- Philomène’s photography focuses on moments of joy, love, and respite within trans life.
- The documentary reveals both the artistic practice and the everyday realities of a non-binary trans person.
- Legault’s film highlights the limitations of language, particularly the gendered nature of French.
- Philomène is preparing for the release of their first book, Puberty, documenting their transition.
Philomène’s work, awash in pastel shades of pink, purple, and blue, features queer subjects – including self-portraits – captured in restful, contemplative poses. This aesthetic sensibility extends to their home, which serves as both a living space and a photography studio as they prepare Puberty, a visual chronicle of their transition. The documentary offers a glimpse into seemingly ordinary rituals, from administering daily hormone shots to sharing quiet moments with their partner.
What does it mean to exist openly as a trans person today? Philomène’s work suggests that even the most mundane routines can become acts of resistance in a climate where non-conforming gender expression is increasingly policed and even outlawed. The film contrasts this reality with Philomène’s deliberate focus on positivity and connection.
Legault’s film doesn’t shy away from the practicalities of life, showing Philomène navigating a mounting to-do list and even a trip to the veterinarian. These glimpses into domesticity underscore the inherent vulnerability and political weight of simply existing as a trans person in public.
Beyond Philomène’s artistic practice, the documentary also explores the challenges of language. Growing up in Quebec, Philomène’s parents, while accepting of their identity, continue to use feminine pronouns, a reflection of the deeply ingrained gendered structure of the French language. Legault mirrors this complexity in the film itself, incorporating bursts of animation as a playful disruption to the handheld cinematography, deviating from traditional documentary conventions.
Ultimately, both the film and Philomène’s photography demonstrate a remarkable ability to find profundity in the everyday, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Larry (They/Them) is available on True Story starting February 13th.
