It is highly intriguing that I have watched the documentary "Bambi" by Sebastien Lifshitz right after having read In One Person, by John Irving. They simply fit perfectly together and I can paradoxically see them walking down the isle hand in hand, if ever they were interested in marriage.
The documentary is well articulated, easily following the chronological story of Jean-Pierre, the woman-to-be and the Marie-Pierre-to-be, from her difficult childhood in Algeria to her moving to France and the making of her independent life there, first as a cabaret artist with the Carrousel de Paris, then as a public school teacher (what a symbol!). This is the story of one of the first transexuals in a time when the topic was out of reach (1950s-1960s), certainly in Algeria and across frontiers in any way. At the same time, it is more than that.
Bambi is the "nom de scène" of Marie-Pierre Pruvot: from her very first years in life, the young kid felt she was a woman, not a man, not a Jean-Pierre. Against all odds, she follows her instinct and step by step builds her life as she wants it to be, up to the ultimate surgery. This certainty of hers regarding her true identity is one of the aspects I find most striking, together with the (personal) hunch, that her mother knew all along that her boy was destined to a different life that was only waiting for the right context (and body) to be allowed to bloom freely.
One question the documentary does not answer is why "Bambi"; is this because of her innocence (it seems to me that being naive is not an option given the circumstances), or because of her delicate features and those beautiful, bambi-like eyes? Possibly the question is not so anecdotical given the quest for identity at the heart of Marie-Pierre's life.
One question the documentary does not answer is why "Bambi"; is this because of her innocence (it seems to me that being naive is not an option given the circumstances), or because of her delicate features and those beautiful, bambi-like eyes? Possibly the question is not so anecdotical given the quest for identity at the heart of Marie-Pierre's life.
The film is part color and part B&W documentary, supplemented with lively images of the Carrousel cabaret shows and beautiful pictures of Bambi, her friends and mother. The story itself is told by Marie-Pierre Pruvot in a very simple, touching way, with no frills, which gives it even a greater impact. I find this an important aspect given that nowadays we tend to take everything for granted and forget that generations had to fight for freedom, whatever kind of freedom actually.
I have been told that the Sebastien Lifshitz' previous movie, "Les Invisibles" is also captivating in tackling the life of homosexuals. It is next on my (never-ending, overgrown) list.
P.S. : Another independent review is available here (in French).
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The first thing that came to mind when I saw the film poster for Bambi you posted was "what a beautiful doe-eyed woman!" The documentary sounds fascinating and inspiring, both from the perspective of Jean-Pierre himself and his supportive mother. I've added it to my (as you say never-ending, overgrown) list of must-see films.
ReplyDeletep.s. So agree with you that we take many of our freedoms for granted (when so many have to fight for/risk their lives for a small taste of it).
I can only recommend it, it perfectly matches current social and political events in France (and beyond, from what I have read in the press), with the "mariage pour tous" policy... Extremely interesting and certainly a plea for tolerance (my favorite word).
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