Orlando, My Political Biography
Official poster
Directed byPaul B. Preciado
Screenplay byPaul B. Preciado
Based onOrlando: A Biography
by Virginia Woolf
Produced by
  • Yaël Fogiel
  • Laetitia Gonzalez
  • Annie Ohayon-Dekel
  • Farid Rezkhallah
Starring
  • Oscar (Rosza) S. Miller
  • Janis Sahraoui
  • Liz Christin
  • Elios Levy
  • Victor Marzouk
CinematographyVictor Zebo
Edited byYotam Ben David
Music byClara Deshayes
Production
companies
Distributed byThe Party Film Sales
Release date
Running time
98 minutes
CountryFrance
LanguageFrench
Box office$75,215[1]

Orlando, My Political Biography (French: Orlando, ma biographie politique) is a 2023 French documentary film directed by Paul B. Preciado. Preciado organizes a casting and brings together 26 contemporary trans and non-binary people, aged 8 to 70, to bring out Orlando of Virginia Woolf's 1928 novel Orlando: A Biography.[2] It was selected in Encounter at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, where it had its world premiere on 18 February 2023.[3] The film was also nominated for Berlinale Documentary Film Award,[4] and won the Teddy Award for the Best Documentary Film.[5]

Content

Blurring the lines between reality and fiction, Preciado expands Virginia Woolf's novel Orlando: A Biography, in which the main character changes gender midway through the story to become a 36-year-old woman. He organizes a casting and brings together 26 contemporary trans and non-binary people, aged 8 to 70, to play Orlando. Preciado reconstructs the stages of his personal transformation through authentic voices, writings, theory and images, in the search of the truth. "Every Orlando", he says, "is a transgender person who is risking his, her or their life on a daily basis as they find themselves forced to confront government laws, history and psychiatry, as well as traditional notions of the family and the power of multinational pharmaceutical companies." The film emphasis, "if 'male' and 'female' are ultimately political and social fictions, then that change is no longer just about gender, but also about poetry, love and skin colour."[6][7]

Cast

  • Oscar (Rosza) S Miller (Orlando)
  • Janis Sahraoui (Orlando)
  • Liz Christin (Orlando)
  • Elios Levy (Orlando)
  • Victor Marzouk (Orlando)
  • Paul B. Preciado (Orlando)
  • Kori Ceballos (Orlando)
  • Vanasay Khamphommala (Orlando)
  • Ruben Rizza (Orlando)
  • Julia Postollec (Orlando)
  • Amir Baylly (Orlando)
  • Naëlle Dariya (Orlando)
  • Jenny Bel’Air (Orlando)
  • Emma Avena (Orlando)
  • Lillie (Orlando)
  • Arthur (Orlando)
  • Eleonore (Orlando)
  • La Bourette (Orlando)
  • Noam Iroual (Orlando)
  • Iris Crosnier (Orlando)
  • Clara Deshayes (Orlando)
  • Castiel Emery (Sasha)
  • Fréderic Pierrot (Psychiatrist)
  • Nathan Callot (Armory Salesman)
  • Pierre et Gilles (Doctors)
  • Tristana Gray Martyr (Goddess of Hormones)
  • Le Filip (Goddess of Gender Fucking)
  • Miss Drinks (Goddess of Insurrection)
  • Tom Dekel (Receptionist)
  • Virginie Despentes (Judge)
  • Rilke & Pompom (Orlando's Dogs)

Release

It had its world premiere on 18 February 2023 in Encounter at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival.[8]

On 2 February 2023 it was reported that Paris-based sales company The Party Film Sales has acquired world rights of the film.[9] On 7 March 2023, it was reported that Sideshow and Janus Films bought the right of the film for North America. They are planning a theatrical release after screening of the film at high-profile festivals in North America.[10] It was invited to Horizons section of 57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it was screened on 30 June 2023.[11] The film is also invited to the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival in Wavelengths section.[12] It will also be screened at the 2023 Atlantic International Film Festival in Documentaries section on 16 September 2023.[13] The film also made it to 'Zabaltegi-Tabakalera' section of the 71st San Sebastián International Film Festival and screened on 23 September 2023.[14][15]

The documentary was also invited to the 2023 Vancouver International Film Festival in 'Spectrum' section and was screened on 28 September 2023.[16] It also made to the 2023 New York Film Festival in the Main Slate, and was screened on 3 October 2023.[17][18]

Reception

Fabien Lemercier reviewing for Cineuropa praised the film and wrote, "I can say is that the hair-raising, super-inventive, intelligent and funny film doesn’t disappoint." Appreciating the director Preciado's creativity Lemercier stated, "he extrapolates Virginia Woolf’s tale with intellectual agility and cinematographic creativity and ultimately offering up an artisanal, philosophical, modern, and highly appealing vehicle for his activism."[19] Laura Venning rated the film 4 out of 5 and wrote, "Paul B. Preciado's metatextual grappling with Virginia Woolf's novel is a playful and moving exploration of gender identity." Venning closing her review opined thar the film is "rightfully destined to become an enduring piece of trans filmmaking."[20] Redmond Bacon of Journey Into Cinema reviewing the film praised the film in general though Bacon felt it was a little stagey and repetitive in parts. Concluding his review Bacon wrote, "the final thesis is undeniably moving, ... this excellent film shows the power of imagination to potentially change the world."[21]

Accolades

Orlando, My Political Biography was shortlisted for European Documentary award in the 36th European Film Awards, but it was not nominated in the nominations announced on 7 November.[22] The awards ceremony will take place on 9 December in Berlin.[23]

Award Date Category Recipient Result Ref.
Berlin International Film Festival 25 February 2023 Golden Bear Plaque Paul B. Preciado Nominated [24]
Berlinale Documentary Film Award Nominated [4][25]
Teddy Award for Best Documentary Film Won [5]
Tagesspiegel Reader’s Jury Award Won [26]
Encounter: Special Jury Award Won [27]
Jerusalem Film Festival 23 July 2023 Chantel Akerman Award for Best Experimental Documentary Orlando, My Political Biography Nominated [28]
Chantel Akerman Award - Special Mention Won
San Sebastián International Film Festival 30 September 2023 Zabaltegi-Tabakalera Prize Nominated [15]
Hamptons International Film Festival 15 October 2023 Documentary Feature Nominated [29]
Festival du Nouveau Cinéma de Montreal 15 October 2023 Louve d'Or Nominated [30]
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards 12 November 2023 Best First Documentary Feature Nominated [31]
Cinema Eye Honors 12 January 2024 Outstanding Debut Paul B. Preciado director Pending [32]

References

  1. ↑ "Orlando, My Political Biography". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "Orlando, ma biographie politique" [Orlando, My Political Biography]. Fish Films (in French). 9 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  3. ↑ Ntim, Zac (23 January 2023). "Berlin Film Festival: Sean Penn, Philippe Garrel, Margarethe Von Trotta & Christian Petzold In Competition — Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Films nominated for the Berlinale Documentary Film Award". Berlinale. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  5. 1 2 Roxborough, Scott (25 February 2023). "Berlin: Teddy Award for Nigerian Drama 'All The Colors in the World Are Between Black and White'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  6. ↑ Lemercier, Fabien (9 February 2023). "The Party Film Sales to sell Orlando, My Political Biography in Berlin". Cineuropa. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  7. ↑ "Orlando, ma biographie politique" [Orlando, My Political Biography]. Crew United (in German). 9 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  8. ↑ Preciado, Paul B. (26 January 2023). "Orlando, My Political Biography". Cineuropa. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  9. ↑ Leffler, Rebecca (2 February 2023). "The Party boards Berlinale title 'Orlando, My Political Biography'; unveils trailer (exclusive)". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  10. ↑ Elsa Keslassy, Elsa (7 March 2023). "Sideshow, Janus Films Buy North American Rights to Berlinale Prizewinning 'Orlando, My Political Biography' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  11. ↑ "57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival: Horizons". Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  12. ↑ Anthony D'Alessandro (11 August 2023). "TIFF 2023 Wavelengths & Classics Section Includes Jean-Luc Godard's Final Film, Uncut Restoration Of 'Farewell My Concubine'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  13. ↑ "2023 Atlantic International Film Festival: Schedule". Atlantic International Film Festival. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  14. ↑ Rivera, Alfonso (24 August 2023). "25 daring propositions on the line-up of San Sebastián's Zabaltegi-Tabakalera section". Cineuropa. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  15. 1 2 Calnan, Ellie (24 August 2023). "Jean-Luc Godard, Delphine Girard, Bas Devos films among San Sebastian Zabaltegi-Tabakalera lineup". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  16. ↑ "Vancouver International Film Festival: Orlando, My Political Biography". Vancouver International Film Festival. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  17. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (8 August 2023). "New York Film Festival Unveils 2023 Lineup: 'Zone of Interest,' 'Poor Things,' 'Anatomy of a Fall' and More". Variety. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  18. ↑ "61st New York Film Festival Main Slate Announced". Film at Lincoln Center. 8 August 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  19. ↑ Lemercier, Fabien (18 February 2023). "Berlinale 2023 Encounter:Review: Orlando, My Political Biography". Cineuropa. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  20. ↑ Venning, Laura (18 February 2023). "Berlin 2023: Orlando, My Political Biography review – destined to become an enduring piece of trans filmmaking". We Love Cinema. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  21. ↑ Bacon, Redmond (18 February 2023). "Travel into The Trans Imagination with Orlando: My Political Biography". Journey Into Cinema. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  22. ↑ Goodfellow, Melanie (7 November 2023). "'Fallen Leaves' & 'The Zone Of Interest' Top European Film Award Nominations In Main Categories". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  23. ↑ "Documentary Film Selection 2023". Europeans Film Awards. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  24. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman; Vivarelli, Nick (23 January 2023). "Berlin Film Festival Reveals Competition Lineup (Updating Live)". Variety. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  25. ↑ Nikkhah Azad, Navid (2 February 2023). "Berlinale Documentary Award Jury 2023". Deed News. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  26. ↑ Roxborough, Scott (25 February 2023). "Berlin: '20,000 Species of Bees,' 'Totem' Among Independent Jury Winners". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  27. ↑ Scott Roxborough (25 February 2023). "Berlin: French Documentary 'On the Adamant' Wins Golden Bear for Best Film". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  28. ↑ Goodfellow, Melanie (20 July 2023). "'Ama Gloria' and 'Daniel Auerbach' Scoop Top Prizes At 40th Jerusalem Film Festival". Deadline. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  29. ↑ Lang, Brent (14 September 2023). "Hamptons International Film Festival Unveils Full Slate Including Bradley Cooper's 'Maestro' as Closing Night Picture (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  30. ↑ "International Competition". Festival du nouveau cinéma. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  31. ↑ Davis, Clayton (16 October 2023). "Critics Choice Documentary Awards: 'American Symphony' Leads Nominations, Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour' Lands Nod After Record-Setting Weekend". Variety. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  32. ↑ Pat Saperstein (16 November 2023). "'Kokomo City' Leads Nominations for Cinema Eye Documentary Honors". Variety. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
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