Review of Every Body (2023) by Indiefilmlover — 03 Jul 2023

Julie Cohen who co-directed "RGB," and "My Name is Pauli Murray" with Betsy West goes out on her own with "Every Body," an insightful documentary about a rarely explored minority -- intersex people.

It focuses on three individuals Saifa, Alicia, and River, who were each born exhibiting characteristics of both genders. For those who believe that gender is strictly binary (either you're a male or female), the film reveals that for approximately 240,000 people in the United States, they don't neatly fit into either category.

Unlike trans people who identify with a different gender than the one assigned at birth, intersex people often externally resemble one gender, but genetically may indicate the opposite gender. For example, an individual may have breasts like a female, but be genetically male with testes.

The film also explores attempts by doctors to surgically "assign" a gender to a person (often at a very young age) that may conflict with one's gender identity. The stories of all three subjects are diverse with some common threads.

For those who come with an open mind, "Every Body" is a provocative and moving work that can heal wounds and literally save lives.