Ramon Te Wake, the director of Trans & Pregnant, delivers a poignant documentary about the transgender community and their journey towards parenthood. This 58-minute feature aims to be authentic and sincere. A conversation with the director.
Can you introduce yourself in a few words and tell us about your professional background?
My name is Ramon Te Wake (ngāti Te Rarawa and ngāti Whātua). I have been working in the film and television industry for 20 years. I am a transgender woman, screenwriter, and director.
Among my recent projects is the comedy series The Boy, The Queen, And Everything In Between, currently airing in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Australia. I directed the teen drama Inky Pinky Ponky, and last year, I created my first short film, Wait, Wait, Now!. Of course, we are also competing at FIFO with our documentary Trans & Pregnant.
How do you approach the festival?
We are excited to attend FIFO in Tahiti! There are so many amazing films to discover. Several filmmakers from Aotearoa will be present, so it will be a great opportunity to reconnect with them and support their films.
I have never been to Tahiti, so I’m looking forward to exploring the community, the culture, the cuisine, and of course, engaging with the industry professionals who will be there throughout the week.
What message would you like to convey? Is it a message of support for the LGBTQI+ community?
This film is special. It’s primarily a love story between two human beings, simply put. Frankie is a transgender man who wants to start a family, just like many couples.
What makes Trans & Pregnant unique is its universal scope, inviting all audiences to follow this journey. Yes, it’s also about creating more visibility for transgender people, particularly in terms of parenthood. We hope this film helps pave the way for future transgender parents and better understand their journey. But at the heart of it all, it’s first and foremost a powerful love story.
Did making this documentary change your perspective or teach you something?
As a trans woman, telling trans stories is something that empowers me, especially when it is recognized on an international scale. But I had never experienced anything like this before.
Being there at every step, going through the struggles with them – the miscarriages, then the birth – was a revelation, not only as a director but also as a human being, witnessing this process. I understood how important it is to protect our stories, and it reminded me why it is crucial to continue telling our stories. In a world where trans people are increasingly threatened, it is vital to maintain our representation and visibility.
Is your goal to advance the cause of trans people?
Our goal from the beginning was to tell their story with kindness, authenticity, and respect. We knew we had to be bold, but we didn’t want to lecture or dictate how viewers should perceive trans people.
We hoped that if we did our job well, the audience would naturally connect with Rāwā and Frankie and follow their journey with empathy. There were important issues to address, such as the fact that the healthcare system is not well adapted to trans people and their path to parenthood. We wanted to highlight this reality and hope that this film has helped raise awareness about these challenges.
How do you think the FIFO audience will receive Trans & Pregnant?
We believe the FIFO audience will be open and receptive. Trans & Pregnant is a beautiful portrait of a couple on their journey to parenthood. The film is emotional, gentle, and filled with support and love.
It highlights family and community, making it accessible to a wide audience. Nothing is forced, and it is this sincerity that we hope will capture the viewers’ attention.
Are you afraid of offending certain sensitivities?
Our intention was never to offend anyone – that idea is completely foreign to us.
If you watch the film with an open mind, you quickly realize that it is, above all, a unique love story. What we don’t know often scares us, but trans and queer people have always existed; they have always been part of communities and our shared realities.
Our stories of struggle and success are just as legitimate as any other story. Humanity would benefit from being more loving and tolerant. If this film can, even in a small way, encourage that openness, then it will be a victory for all of us.
What are the values that define you?
Honestly, I think I’m pretty boring (laughs). When I’m not making films or working in television, I spend time with my family and friends. I’m very close to my family.
I’m a loyal person, quite reserved, and… pretty much a homebody. I always go to the same restaurant, the same bar, the same café, and the same gym. I love taking care of my plants, blasting music while cleaning the house, enjoying good meals, and watching my favorite shows.
In short, I’m someone who loves comfort, and that makes me happy.
What are your upcoming projects?
With Nicola Smith, the amazing producer of Trans & Pregnant, we’ve been working together for over ten years and have many projects in progress.
We are preparing a documentary titled Denied – 50 Years of Gay Pride in Aotearoa, as well as season 2 of The Boy, The Queen, And Everything in Between. We’re also writing a romantic comedy titled What Rides Are For…
It’s a time full of uncertainties for the audiovisual industry, with many changes related to the evolving ways of consuming content. But this also pushes us to be more creative and explore new ways to tell stories. It’s exciting.
Jenny Hunter & Vaikehu Shan
French