Introduction to a Unique Doctor
In the Italian director Gianluca Matarrese’s compassionate documentary, we are introduced to a doctor who specializes in two areas that may seem almost diametrically opposed to some people. As an experienced endocrinologist working in the Niguarda Hospital in Milan, this doctor also practices gender operations and hormonal treatment of trans patients.
A Miracle in a Conservative Country
In a mostly Catholic country like Italy, where the current leader has fought against LGBT rights, this doctor feels like a miracle. He has been able to help increase his nation’s declining birth rate, one of the lowest in Europe, and at the same time support a growing trans community. What’s even more remarkable is that his medical interventions are completely covered by the Italian health system, despite the dominance of right-wing extremist parties in local politics.
The Documentary: A Sensitive and Informative Portrayal
The documentary, filmed over several months before the doctor’s retirement, follows him in his daily rounds. A significant part of the film shows the doctor sitting in his office, speaking to his patients, and turning into a psychologist or philosopher to help them deal with highly complicated personal topics. He does this not only in Italian but also in Mandarin, Arabic, and probably many other languages he dominates.
The Doctor’s Unique Approach
When the doctor is not in the hospital, the film shows him searching for rare mushrooms in the Lombard landscape. At first, these sequences seem far removed from the rest of the film until the doctor explains that mushrooms multiply when male cells fertilize female cells, just like humans. With his warm approach and extreme empathy, the doctor acts as a character from another, better time – a real humanist who can perform an IVF or gender confirmation operation on the same day.
Memorable Scenes and Conversations
The most memorable scenes in the documentary show the doctor advising young trans patients, some of whom are satisfied with their treatments, while others are looking for additional procedures. The doctor’s conversations with his patients are informative, enabling the viewer to delve deeply into certain patients’ lives while the doctor guides them through life-changing decisions.
A Normalizing Experience
What the documentary creates is a normalizing experience for the viewer, even if what we observe is still considered problematic by some people. The doctor treats his trans patients with honesty and respect, and he treats the heterosexual couples who come to his office exactly the same. There is no difference for the doctor between the two, and the film suggests that it should be this way everywhere. The documentary may portray a tiny utopia in a public hospital in northern Italy, but it gives us hope that such a place will become a reality sooner rather than later.
Film Details
The documentary was screened at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, directed by Gianluca Matarrese, and written by Gianluca Matarrese and Donatella della Ratta. The film runs for 1 hour and 43 minutes, and its sensitive and informative portrayal of the doctor and his patients makes it a must-watch.
