Orchids - My Intersex Adventure

Phoebe’s happy and carefree childhood came to an abrupt end at puberty when she was told she would never menstruate nor have children. The reasons why were never discussed and the topic as such remained taboo. At the age of 17, her mother felt Phoebe was old enough to understand the true nature of her body and the family secret was finally revealed. Phoebe then faced an orchidectomy, invasive surgery to remove her undescended testes, the emotional scars of which are still raw today. Phoebe’s road trip around Australia exposes her to the stories of other intersex people and holds a mirror to her own experience. She learns valuable lessons in resilience and healing but also sees the pervasive impact her condition has on all her relationships.

At home, Phoebe and James want to start a family but dealing with infertility and the stress of the adoption process puts pressure on their marriage. Phoebe also starts to understand the difficult decisions her parents faced and is excited but apprehensive when they eventually agree to be interviewed. Will talking openly with her mother give Phoebe the answers she has been looking for?

Director’s statement

This is my story. It’s a story of how my body became a site of pain, confusion and secrecy for me and for my family. Not because it is diseased or dysfunctional but because society deemed it to be abnormal.

I have Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS). I am a woman with 46XY (male) chromosomes. Without a doubt, I have struggled with unwarranted categorisation and medical interference. Wherever possible, I actively seek to disrupt this cataloging and meddling with as much honesty and humour as I can muster. It’s the reason why I wanted to make this film.

I chose the title, Orchids, as these ornamental flowers are an especially potent symbol for intersex people. The etymology of the word “orchid” derives from the Greek orkhis, meaning “testicle”. Also many people with AIS undergo an orchidectomy, which is the removal of the internal testes to reduce the risk of cancer. Thus they often refer to themselves as “orchids” in their own life- writing. I have appropriated these flowers as a resonant visual signifier throughout my documentary.

On a professional and personal level, my film has presented me with many challenges. At an early stage of research and development, I made a conscious decision the film should be largely autobiographical. This was important for me on a number of levels and represented a huge step in terms of self-confidence and courage. In my early life, my condition was kept a secret from me. I was confused and told to keep quiet about who and what I was. I was subjected to medical scrutiny, surgery and 12 pathology. 'Orchids - My Intersex Adventure' has allowed me to reflect on the shame and trauma of my coming-of-age experience and examine why “coming out” continues to be extremely challenging.

After speaking with many intersex men and women for many years, it has become evident to me most are happy to be intersex but unhappy with the attendant “social” problems. Every day they deal with the stigma of being intersex, being seen as “different” or “freakish” by society, and treated by doctors and family members accordingly. Medical treatment contributes greatly to a sense of social inferiority and shame, as cosmetic surgery seeks to normalise aberrant bodies, pusing individuals with intersex towards either (more) male or female. In effect, such pathology represents a social shift to sequester intersex people from the normal population. 'Orchids - My Intersex Adventure' is a portrait of survival and courage, revising societal and historical perspectives of intersex by creating understandings of difference, which originate from a highly subjective space.

I hope my narrative will engage and move audiences. 'Orchids - My Intersex Adventure' presents the struggles and triumphs of other intersex people throughout Australia. However, most of all, it’s a potent story of family, acknowledging the past, and moving into the future with love and acceptance.

"If there were an Academy Award category called "Best Achievement in No-Budget One-hour Documentary Straight from the Depth of One's Soul", Phoebe Hart's Orchids: My Intersex Adventure would bag the little gold statue with the ambiguous genitalia. Oscar the orchid would be hers. It's an extraordinary piece of filmmaking, filled with family revelations and a beautiful twist ending that could rival Frank Capra for emotional pull." Trent Dalton, Q Weekend

"Personally I could not imagine a better film ever being made on coming to terms with a condition like AIS. It's wildly funny in parts but at the same time it's very intimate and deeply moving. I can't stop thinking about it." Professor Garry Warne AM, Senior Endocrinologist, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne

Melbourne (ATOM Award), Brisbane (Audience Award), Sydney, Adelaide, Auckland, Dungog, San Francisco, Austin, Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian FF, New York Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual & Transgender FF, Vancouver Queer FF, Raindance, Hamburg International Queer FF (2nd price best documentary), Copenhagen (best documentary), Spokane Int. LGBT FF (John Deen Memorial Award), IF Awards Sydney (nominated for best documentary), AACTA Awards Australia (nomination for best documentary under 1h), ReelOut FFOntario, Tahiti, International Women's FF Dortmund, Hawaii (Gold Kahuna Award), Australian Directors Guild Awards (Best Direction of a Documentary), Divergenti Film Festival Italy (Audience Award), MujerDoc (Shortfilm Award)