A Deaf trans man, a swimming pool, and the surgery that could finally set him free.
Marcus Pabon-Lara loves swimming but is too self-conscious to take off his top in public. Will a mastectomy give him the body confidence needed to go for his first swim since he was a teenager? An honest insight into the experiences of a Deaf trans man, follows self-proclaimed “proud geek” Marcus during the lead up to his much-anticipated operation. Along the way, we meet his friends and his mother, finding out more about Marcus and how he feels about his transition.
Direction
Cathy Heffernan's patient, unhurried gaze.
Production
BSL integration treated as visual poetry, not afterthought.
Director
Cathy Heffernan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
British Sign Language has no written form, so Deaf filmmakers often pioneer visual storytelling techniques hearing directors never consider—notice how Heffernan frames conversations in depth, not just close-up.
Marcus's 'geek' identity is deliberate armour: science fiction fandom provided him community before transition, and the film quietly argues nerd spaces can be unexpectedly queer-affirming.
US
