Southern Comfort

2001 Documentary

Kate Davis' digitally shot documentary chronicles the last year in the life of Robert Eads, a female-to-male transsexual dying of terminal ovarian cancer in the backwoods of rural Georgia. Broken up into seasons, the feature introduces viewers to a community of transsexual persons (many of whom have received poor medical care), including Maxwell, Robert's best friend and sparring partner, and Lola Cola, a male-to-female transsexual who has become Robert's life partner after a lengthy friendship. Often regarded as the patriarch of this small but tight clan, Robert finds that his cancer is accelerating; his loved ones all lend support, including his son, his parents, and his beloved granddaughter. When Robert can no longer care for himself, Lola decides to care for him full-time. The two prepare for the annual Southern Comfort conference, a yearly event created for transgendered individuals, where Robert and Lola have been selected to lead a panel, all while Robert's health is in jeopardy. Robert's final wish is granted when he is able to attend the event, joined by his nearest and dearest friends and Lola, his devoted lover. more..

Director: Kate Davis

Reviews

  • The film defuses all preconceptions about the ''issues'' of transsexual identity to arrive at a place of tremulous human power.

    Owen Gleiberman - Entertainment Weekly

    27 April 2013

  • Less grim than it sounds, Southern Comfort ends on a note of triumph for its endearing, gender-bending hero.

    Lou Lumenick - New York Post

    27 April 2013

  • Eads's wit, generosity, insight, and courage are irresistible.

    Amy Taubin - Village Voice

    27 April 2013

  • Works so beautifully because Davis doesn't try to turn Eads and his friends into walking soapboxes for transgendered people.

    Sean Means - Film.com

    27 April 2013

  • This capably made HBO documentary takes an understated and compassionate look at a subject that is often sensationalized in other contexts.

    David Sterritt - Christian Science Monitor

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • Best Documentary Feature

    Florida Film Festival (2001)

  • Outstanding Documentary

    GLAAD Media Awards (2003)

     
  • Best Documentary

    High Falls Film Festival (2001)

  • Kate Davis

    Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival (2001)

  • Outstanding Picture Editing for Non-Fiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera)

    Primetime Emmy Awards (2002)