Four Lebanese trans women share their lives through their personal photographic archives, a mosaic of snapshots that together trace the untold history of queer Beirut. From the pioneering introduction of state‑funded gender‑affirming surgery in the 1990s and the vivid glamour of the Raouche strip—a gathering place on the coast—to the scars of war and the hardships of the present, the film spans over four decades of collective memory. The photographs of Em Abed, Jamal Abdo, Antonella, and Mama Jad are interwoven with the director’s own family footage, as he weaves in his own path of growth and identity exploration. What emerges is a layered portrait capturing the complexity of lives marked by loss, rage, and joy, celebrating the power of elective motherhood. A vivid, collective tribute to Beirut’s trans community that, in today’s world, feels more urgent than ever.
Biography
film director
Mohamad Abdouni
Based between Beirut and Istanbul, Mohamad Abdouni is a filmmaker, artist, photographer, and curator focusing on Beirut’s queer communities. His work includes the project Treat Me Like Your Mother: Trans Histories From Beirut’s Forgotten Past* (2025), which documents the Arab world’s first archive of trans* stories, preserved at the Arab Image Foundation. He is also Editor‑in‑Chief and Creative Director of COLD CUTS magazine, the photo journal dedicated to queer cultures across the SWANA region.
Cast
& Credits
Fotografia/Photography Malek Hosni, Pauline Maroun
Suono/Sound Fadi Tabbal
Musica/Music Fadi Tabbal, Charbel Haber, Julia Sabra, Pascal Makdous, Marwan Tohme, Mayssa Jallad
Produttore/Producer Riham Ezzaldeen, Mohamad Abdouni
Produzione/Production Cold Cuts
