Be Like Others

Be Like Others, a compelling documentary released in 2008, delves deeply into an intricate social maze traversed by Iran's transgender community. This riveting documentary, directed by the accomplished filmmaker Tanaz Eshaghian, highlights the struggle and aspiration of individuals who are striving to live authentic lives amidst societal norms that traditionally, and religiously, do not allow for such identities to exist openly.

The documentary's title, Be Like Others, elicits strong contemplation on the notion of social conformity and the lengths that individuals, specifically transgender individuals, go through to fit into societal norms and expectations. Eshaghian uniquely weaves narratives that focus on Iran's legal and religious stance on transgenderism and homosexuality, a paradox that serves as the crux of many individuals’ crises of identity and acceptance in society.

One of the central themes that resonate throughout Be Like Others is Iran's surprising policy towards transgenderism. Although homosexuality is illegal and punishable under Iranian law, transgenderism has been technically legal since a fatwa (a religious edict) was issued by Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, in the 1980s, that affirmed it as a cure for a mental illness and not a sin. As such, those who identify as transgender are permitted to undergo sexual reassignment surgery.

The film takes us into the lives of several pre-operative transgender people, offering a profound insight into their dilemmas and conflicts, often exacerbated by family disapproval and societal prejudice. Eshaghian's astute visual storytelling effectively makes the viewer empathize with the subjects and their struggles.

Central to the documentary's narrative is the role of Dr. Bahram Mir-Jalali, known as "the father of Iran's modern sex-reassignment surgery". He performed his first operation over three decades ago and has since become a beacon of hope for many transgender people in Iran. Observing the film, we can see how the doctor's guidance, professional advice, and surgical expertise constitutes a significant lifeline for those seeking to transition under Iran's complex legal and societal rules.

Throughout Be Like Others, we get to meet a variety of interesting personalities. One of the most poignant stories is of a young man named Ali Askar, a 24-year-old who has decided to become a woman named Negar after years of internal wrangling. We follow Ali during the process of transformation: the agonizing waiting for surgery, navigating society, his parents’ unease, and the profound risk that comes with such an irrevocable decision. In this and other stories, the film does a stellar job of creating an intimate, respectful testament to the profound courage of its subjects.

Additionally, the documentary raises critical discussions about gender, identity, and acceptance in Iran. It reveals the pressures and restrictions that these transgender individuals face, such as societal acceptance or employment opportunities. While the surgeries provide a solution for some, they also raise significant issues: Will changing one's sex bring the desired peace and acceptance, or will it introduce a different, possibly more burdensome, set of problems?

Be Like Others, spanning 74 minutes, is an emotion-packed documentary that evokes feelings of sadness, empathy, anger, and hope. Eshaghian fosters a deep connection between the viewer and the film's subjects, crafting a revealing and at times heart-wrenching narrative of the struggles these transgender individuals endure in their search for acceptance in a society that seems bent on marginalizing them.

Despite its focus on Iran, the universal themes of Be Like Others transcend its geographical and cultural boundaries. The documentary, in its essence, poses a vital question to us all: What does it truly mean to be oneself in a world that so often pressures us to be like others? In its exploration of this question, Be Like Others unfolds complex human narratives of identity, resilience, and the unspeakable cost of conformity.