In the 1950s and ‘60s, an underground network of transgender women and cross-dressing men found refuge at a modest house in the Catskills region of New York. Known as Casa Susanna, the house provided a safe place for them to express their true selves and live for a few days as they had always dreamed—dressed as women without fear of being incarcerated or institutionalized for their self-expression.
“I went to New York in the late summer of 2021 and traveled up to the Catskills in search of Casa Susanna. I have been lucky enough to be able to bring this secret history, this invisible world, back to life with the help of Kate, Diana, Betsy and Gregory. Now their story, the story of a clandestine community, is there for all to see. With it, a fragment of queer history, stretching from the McCarthy era to the 1970s, is revealed. The unsettled nature of their existences and their bravery ring loud and clear.” (Sébastien Lifshitz)
SAT, 11 March
Talk with Lia Bordon after the screening of Casa Susanna
Lia Bordon is a woman with a transgender experience. She was assigned male at birth, was raised as a man, even though she knew from a young age that she should have been born a girl. As a man, she has built a distinguished career, and raised a family. At the age of 42 she finally decided to live as she should have lived all along – as a woman. She entered the agonizing process of transition and underwent a gender-affirming surgery. Today, as a coach, psychotherapist, lecturer and advocate for transgender people, Lia Bordon helps everyone confronting similar, seemingly insurmountable challenges in life. .
Free entry to post-screening Q&As
WED, 15 March
Talk with Transgender Filmmakers sfter the screening of Casa Susanna
The talk will address the importance of safe places for trans people and various sexual and gender minorities. Authentic cinematic representations of social minorities can provide empowerment and solace but also help prevent the unnecessary perpetuation of stereotypical images. Slovenian trans filmmakers will discuss whether the film Casa Susanna provides authentic solace and a legitimate representation of transgender people, and ponder on best possible cinematic and narrative representations of trans stories and communities.
With the participation of: Lea Aymard, cinematographer, director of photography and trans activist, Zavod TransAkcija; Ana Čigon, artist working in video & performance art and film and video teacher at the Secondary Preschool Education and Grammar School Ljubljana; Moderated by: Linn Julian Koletnik, longtime trans activist, AIS
In cooperation with Amnesty International Slovenija (AIS)
Free entry to post-screening Q&As