With her own wedding just around the corner, filmmaker Sharon Shattuck returns home to examine the mystery at the heart of her upbringing: How her transgender father Trisha and her straight-identified mother Marcia stayed together against all odds. FROM THIS DAY FORWARD is a moving portrayal of an American family coping with the most intimate of transformations.
As the film evolves into a conversation about love and acceptance in a modern American family, it raises questions relevant to all of us. As individuals how do we adapt to sustain long-term love and relationships? Where do sexuality and gender intersect? And how do families stay together, when external forces are pulling them apart?
'From This Day Forward is a resonant aria on what it means to love--as a family, as a spouse, and as a parent--in the starkest and most honest terms...Its lessons on love and struggle are powerfully instructive and deeply relevant...This video would be valuable viewing in community and/or higher education contexts to prompt thoughtful conversations about families, change, gender, parenting, relationships, and more.' Dr. Sally Galman, Associate Professor of Teacher Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Principal Investigator, Gender Moxie Project 'Sharon Shattuck's gently winning documentary, an account of having a transgender parent, is effective for what it is not: a flashy portrait or big-city story...In marriage and parenthood, one size doesn't fit all.' Andy Webster, The New York Times NYT Critic's Pick 'From This Day Forward is a beautiful and honest portrayal of one family's experience navigating a parent's gender transition. This is a wonderful educational tool for anyone who teaches on the topics of gender, the family, or intimate relationships. I look forward to using it in my courses!' Krysti Ryan, Sociology Department, University of California, Davis 'This is a documentary that not only seeks answers, but ultimately some closure for this family. And it does this brilliantly.' Daniela Costa, AfterEllen.com 'A very impressive achievement. The story is unique - a married couple that remains together as a couple after one of them transitions. The struggle that each goes through at every step of the way is palpable. The filmmaker has captured this tension extremely well.' Terry S. Kogan, Professor of Law, University of Utah 'A very intimate look at the life of [Shattuck's] transgender father that we may not find anywhere else. That makes this film one to watch.' William Brownridge, Toronto Film Scene 'Most documentaries that feature transgender issues focus primarily on individuals who identify as transgender and the process of coming out. From This Day Forward moves beyond the discussion of gender identity to how gender intersects with the multiple identities we have in the course of our lives. This touching film delves into the complexities of family relationships through the lens of gender. This is not simply a film about gender identity, but one that explores marriage, parenting, love, commitment, and the human spirit. A great film for any gender or family studies course.' Sara Raley, Associate Professor of Sociology at McDaniel College '[Shattuck's parent] Trisha is a pleasure to spend time with-goofy, honest, and brimming with different talents.' Sherilyn Connelly, SF Weekly
American Studies; Anthropology; Counseling; Education; Family Studies; Film Studies; Gender Studies; Human Rights; Law; LGBT Studies; Parenting; Psychology; Sociology
Keywords
transgender, transformations, wedding, transgender father, straight identified mother, American family, love, acceptance, long-term love, long-term relationships, lgbt, lgbtq, gender, gender studies, family issues, gender identity, marriage and couples, family dynamics, gay and lesbian studies, sex and gender, psychology, phsyical transformation, discrimination, artwork, relationships, parenting, commitment, human spirit; "From This Day Forward"; Bullfrog Films,doc,art; lgbtq
Distributor: Bullfrog Films
Length: 76 minutes
Date: 2017
Genre: Expository
Language: English
Grade: 6 - 12, College, Adults
Color/BW:
Closed Captioning: Available
Interactive Transcript: Available
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