Swedish artist , born in 1988 and based in Stockholm, explores themes such as body, memory, identity and social structures via a range a media, from sculptures and installations to performance art and short films. “The works are often based on her personal experiences of being trans and a new woman,” her website highlights. “Based on her own story, she examines larger existential questions; who we are, how we exist and who we want to be.
” Verseau’s feature film debut, , is particularly personal and intimate. The documentary diary sees her returning to Thailand, the place of her transition in 2012, navigating uncertainty amplified by her close friend Meril’s suicide, and exploring challenges faced by trans women, along with issues of identity and meaning. The film, which won the Hiventy Post-Production Award, a €5,000 ($5,375) grant for post-production services, at Cannes Docs 2023 when it had the working title , had its world premiere at the 58th on Saturday.
Verseau talked to about why she wanted to relive and share her transition experience and her struggles with her friend’s death in movie form, her thoughts on the depiction of trans people in film, as well as potential future projects. From the beginning, I think it was the shock of knowing that my friend Meril had died. It was mostly, I think, a therapeutic way for me to try to digest what had happened.
I’m also an artist, so this is something that comes very natural to me. I wanted to try and understan.
