Sam (2019)

Sam is the story of a middle-aged transgender woman who retraces her journey with screenwriter Haydn Worley; her former counsellor also reflects on their sessions. Starting life as a confused boy and frustrated, suppressed teenager, Sam's transition is complicated by an on-off relationship before and after transitioning; meeting her estranged son; and the loss of her mother. The documentary provides an honest, candid insight into the psychological, emotional and physical struggles of living before, during and after gender transition. The film aims to normalise, as opposed to glorify or glamorise, transgender identity; blending themes of struggle, determination and compassion to demonstrate the power and hope one find to fulfil their dreams and be their true self. Ultimately, Sam is just a regular working class woman from Portsmouth who happens to have a remarkable story.