On behalf of our Thai production partner, WFIL is pleased to present this promo sampler of an impending full-length documentary. Please come to us to discuss possibilities to co-produce or license the same, for global distribution.
Within Thailand one can find several different gender roles, identities and diverse visual markers of masculinity and femininity. The demand for positive self-identity is growing in Thailand and their communities are strengthening.
It is quite common for the subject of Ladyboys to be in direct correlation to Thailand, something that the country is becoming more prominently known for. These days many tourists make note of these beautiful women that have transformed themselves into somewhat of a Thai icon. Thailand is now viewed as an international hub of gender-bending norms, and a center of sexual alterations.
Although the term ladyboy is rather ambiguous, simply put, it is a male who dresses as and carries out the identity of a woman. Though the term is often translated as transgender, transgender is rarely used in Thailand, instead they use the term Kathoey. This term can now also be used to refer to any male homosexual and was originally used to refer to intersex people. Due to this term becoming so broad many choose to use the English word to explain a homosexual male dressing as a woman as a "ladyboy," this eliminates much of the confusion. The term can also be meant as an insult, especially to those who are trying to completely alter their identity to that of a woman. Ladyboys suggest that they are still men who are merely dressed as women. The term is used rather loosely at times and can be used to refer to any male who is acting with feminine qualities. Personally most of the women prefer to call themselves "a transformed goddess" or "a second type of woman".
Ladyboys really are quite prominent in Thailand and are seemingly accepted by society, not only in the cities but in the countrysides as well. It seems as though it is the relaxed attitude of acceptance and tolerance in Buddhism that keeps people from shunning their lifestyles, although many other Buddhist countries are not as willing to accept a ladyboy living their life in public. Thai Buddhism specifically does not regard homosexuality as a sin and has no specific prohibitions regarding their lifestyle. Though Kathoey/Ladyboy continually face discrimination they are gaining acceptance and have made themselves a very distinct part of the Thai society; however, they still have not yet attained equal status with those who are not transgender. There are many restrictions that come with the identity, one being the inability to marry someone of the same sex, another not being able to officially change their birth sex on birth certificates or passports.
Though Kathoey have enjoyed some prestige in the past, they still face many struggles in everyday life. Many have found success in the entertainment business or in fashion, while others dance cabaret or accept lower level work so that they are able to live their lives out in the open. The modern view of Kathoey is really rather recent, it seems as though they, together with other homosexual identities came together in recent decades to start this gender identity revolution. Beginning in the 1950s we are able to see a presence of Kathoey and it can be traced in media. The trend of Kathoeys being a regular part of entertainment such as movies, music entertainment and television shows is rather recent.
source - Wikipedia
Estimates put the number of ladyboys in Thailand at close to 200 000 individuals. No one really seems to know why Thailand has so many ladyboys. Thailand is a Buddhist country where tolerance prevails and katoey are often accepted as part of Thai society.
Nevertheless, beneath this formal acceptance, there is an undertow of prejudice.
And, presumably seeking an environment where they fit in and are accepted, many katoeys end up as performers and sex workers.
This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from South Asia. The Wilderness Films India collection comprises of tens of thousands of hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM / SR 1080i High Definition, Alexa, SR, HDV and XDCAM. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world... Reach us at rupindang @ gmail . com and admin@wildfilmsindia.com.
Within Thailand one can find several different gender roles, identities and diverse visual markers of masculinity and femininity. The demand for positive self-identity is growing in Thailand and their communities are strengthening.
It is quite common for the subject of Ladyboys to be in direct correlation to Thailand, something that the country is becoming more prominently known for. These days many tourists make note of these beautiful women that have transformed themselves into somewhat of a Thai icon. Thailand is now viewed as an international hub of gender-bending norms, and a center of sexual alterations.
Although the term ladyboy is rather ambiguous, simply put, it is a male who dresses as and carries out the identity of a woman. Though the term is often translated as transgender, transgender is rarely used in Thailand, instead they use the term Kathoey. This term can now also be used to refer to any male homosexual and was originally used to refer to intersex people. Due to this term becoming so broad many choose to use the English word to explain a homosexual male dressing as a woman as a "ladyboy," this eliminates much of the confusion. The term can also be meant as an insult, especially to those who are trying to completely alter their identity to that of a woman. Ladyboys suggest that they are still men who are merely dressed as women. The term is used rather loosely at times and can be used to refer to any male who is acting with feminine qualities. Personally most of the women prefer to call themselves "a transformed goddess" or "a second type of woman".
Ladyboys really are quite prominent in Thailand and are seemingly accepted by society, not only in the cities but in the countrysides as well. It seems as though it is the relaxed attitude of acceptance and tolerance in Buddhism that keeps people from shunning their lifestyles, although many other Buddhist countries are not as willing to accept a ladyboy living their life in public. Thai Buddhism specifically does not regard homosexuality as a sin and has no specific prohibitions regarding their lifestyle. Though Kathoey/Ladyboy continually face discrimination they are gaining acceptance and have made themselves a very distinct part of the Thai society; however, they still have not yet attained equal status with those who are not transgender. There are many restrictions that come with the identity, one being the inability to marry someone of the same sex, another not being able to officially change their birth sex on birth certificates or passports.
Though Kathoey have enjoyed some prestige in the past, they still face many struggles in everyday life. Many have found success in the entertainment business or in fashion, while others dance cabaret or accept lower level work so that they are able to live their lives out in the open. The modern view of Kathoey is really rather recent, it seems as though they, together with other homosexual identities came together in recent decades to start this gender identity revolution. Beginning in the 1950s we are able to see a presence of Kathoey and it can be traced in media. The trend of Kathoeys being a regular part of entertainment such as movies, music entertainment and television shows is rather recent.
source - Wikipedia
Estimates put the number of ladyboys in Thailand at close to 200 000 individuals. No one really seems to know why Thailand has so many ladyboys. Thailand is a Buddhist country where tolerance prevails and katoey are often accepted as part of Thai society.
Nevertheless, beneath this formal acceptance, there is an undertow of prejudice.
And, presumably seeking an environment where they fit in and are accepted, many katoeys end up as performers and sex workers.
This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from South Asia. The Wilderness Films India collection comprises of tens of thousands of hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM / SR 1080i High Definition, Alexa, SR, HDV and XDCAM. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world... Reach us at rupindang @ gmail . com and admin@wildfilmsindia.com.
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