"For non-binary trans photographer Laurence Philomene, art, life and identity are intimately entwined. Though drawing from art history, their photographs strike a distinctive note with their pastel colours; capturing queer subjects, including Philomene themself, in restful poses, these portraits bloom in soft hues of pink, purple, blue the full rainbow. This style seems to seep into Catherine Legault's intimate documentary, which captures not only the artist's creative process but also their daily life with vibrancy."
"As they prepare their first book, Puberty, which documents their transition, their home doubles as a photography studio. Philomene takes pictures of ordinary rituals, from taking their daily hormone shots to a gentle cuddle with their partner in bed. At a time when non-conforming gender expression is being policed, censored and even banned, these tableaux of trans life are more radical than ever. In contrast to conservative rhetoric demonising trans people, Philomene chooses to focus on moments of joy, love and respite."
"At the same time, the documentary reveals domestic worries such as a mounting to-do list and a trip to the vet. Considering the danger of existing publicly as a trans person, even these everyday routines can become a political act. In foregrounding Philomene's practice, Legault's film also lays bare the limitations of traditional art and language. While Philomene's Quebecois parents have accepted their identity, they still refer to them with feminine pronouns; French remains a highly gendered language."
Laurence Philomene creates pastel-coloured photographs that center queer subjects and ordinary rituals, often featuring themself in restful, intimate poses. Their home serves as a vibrant domestic space and a photography studio while they prepare Puberty, a book documenting their transition. The images record daily acts of care—from hormone shots to cuddles—framing mundane routines as both personal and politically visible. Catherine Legault's documentary follows Philomene's creative process and everyday life, using handheld footage and bursts of animation to unsettle convention. The film highlights linguistic and artistic limits, noting gendered French pronouns and gradual social change, and together both practices elevate the everyday into the profound.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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