Dysphoric

Dysphoric: Fleeing Womanhood Like a House on Fire is a four-part documentary by Indian filmmaker Vaishnavi Sundar. She conceived, directed and edited the series herself. The series was released in 2021 and made entirely through video calls, without the backing of a major studio.

What It Is About

Sundar examines the rise of gender identity ideology and its consequences for women and girls, with a focus on developing countries. The series covers medical transition, the lasting effects of hormones and surgery, changes in language and the resistance women face when they raise critical questions. It features women who came to regret their transitions, doctors, psychiatrists, sociologists, feminists and concerned parents. The subject touches on detransition and the broader debate in society.

Reception and Criticism

The documentary is controversial. According to Sundar, screenings have been cancelled following accusations of transphobia, and her films have repeatedly sparked protests. In gender-critical and feminist circles, the series is cited as one of the few productions offering a non-Western perspective.

The Filmmaker

Vaishnavi Sundar was born in Avadi in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. She studied in Chennai and began her career as an actress with the Theatre Nisha company. As a filmmaker, she is self-taught; she writes, directs and produces her own films under the name Lime Soda Films. Her debut film, Pava, was released in 2014. In 2018, she made But What Was She Wearing?, a feature-length documentary about sexual harassment at work in India. She also founded Women Making Films, a website for female filmmakers with members from more than nineteen countries.

Production and Availability

Sundar made Dysphoric over the course of a year during the coronavirus pandemic, which explains why the conversations were recorded via video. She describes it as a grassroots project. All four parts are available on her YouTube channel; viewers can support her future work with a donation. Sundar works with Women's Declaration International, an organisation that advocates for women's rights on the basis of sex. In August 2024, she released a new film on YouTube, Behind the Looking Glass. Similar documentaries in this archive include Affirmation Generation, What Is a Woman? and The Detransition Diaries; the broader picture can be found under international developments.