Filmmaker Matt Kliegman’s compelling debut documentary makes for very uncomfortable viewing especially for those of us who have difficulties with Christian doctrine. This is the story of 50-something-year-old conservative fundamental evangelist Mark Wentzel who transitioned into Markie Ann only to later transition back after God spoke with her.
Mark is 7 ft and weighs 400 lbs which makes her stand out in any situation either male or female. When Kliegman starts this story we see Markie as the height of her unhappiness dismissed by her church and totally estranged from her ex wife and three grown up children. Kliegman however has a wealth of archive footage so can show the time when Markie Ann is first so elated about finally accepting her true identity . He even goes back further to when Mark was a licensed preacher and sunday school teacher of the fire and brimstone variety.
Asides from Markie’s conservatism and traditional values she is socially awkward which doesn’t help her fit in many situations. Her job as a TSA inspector is hardly a means to encourage relationships or friendships even.
The decision to halt the transitioning comes a week after the Urological Surgeon has green-lit gender reassignment surgery which is the final point of no-return. It sees Mark going to city hall and undoing all of the legal changes she had done so far, and officially marking the death of Markie Ann for good.
His Church welcome the suit clad Mark back with open arms and he finally gets a invite to meet the two grandchildren for the first time. Putting on brave face full of smiles and reiterating that it wasn’t just about accepting Mark’s original gender as a reality, but finding a way back to God.
However despite the optimistic spin that Kliegman ends this excellent but disturbing documentary on, just looking at Mark’s face it is clear to see that she is not 100% convinced this turn of events will ever make her feel real or happy. We totally feel the same.
Labels: 2019, documentary, transgender
