Our take: "Two Spirits"

Such a small film can make a huge difference

Molly Strasburger

Special to Metromix

One documentary can often be the same as the next. However, if there's one documentary that stands out at this year's Denver Film Festival, it's "Two Spirits." We guarantee you that this film is unlike any of those more typical films.

"Two Spirits" is the true story of a "Navajo boy — who was also a girl." Fred (F.C.) Martinez lived as a Nádleehí — a term from the empowering belief of the Navajo people that there are not two genders, but four. A Nadleehi is a born male who lives life in a more traditionally female style. F.C.'s family was very accepting of his coming out. This is obvious throughout the film in tear-jerking scenes of his mother being interviewed. On the night of June 16, 2000, F.C. left a city carnival heading for home. Five days later, two young boys playing in the rural open space of Cortez, Colo., found F.C.'s body. He had been missing the whole time, and had been brutally murdered. Shaun Murphy was later convicted of second degree murder for the killing of F.C. It was ruled a hate crime against the gay and transgendered community.

This film will tug on your heartstrings and tears may flood your eyes. Several interviews with other transgendered Navajo people inspire and encourage one to be themselves. No matter if you're straight, gay, bi-sexual, lesbian or, like the late Fred Martinez,  transgendered.