CHAZ BONO DOCUMENTARY LAUDED

A new film documenting Cher’s son’s gender reassignment experience has premièred at the Sundance Film Festival in the US.

Directed by Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey, Becoming Chaz depicts both the medical and emotional journey undertaken by Chaz Bono (41), who was born female and named Chastity Bono.

The film also features Cher talking about her struggle to accept her child’s decision to change gender as well as Chaz’s girlfriend, Jennifer Elia, who has had to adjust to her lesbian partner becoming a man.

“It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done in my life. It’s the only time I’ve felt like a complete person,” Bono says in the film.

Becoming Chaz was introduced by Rosie O’Donnell at the première and has already been scooped up by Oprah Winfrey’s new OWN network.

“Becoming Chaz is a story of personal heroism, the valiant struggle of a sensitive individual to become who he really is,” commented the Hollywood Reporter, noting that the story was “told with finesse, compassion and wit…”

“While the movie takes a look at a process most Americans know little about, the movie’s broader message is to embrace one’s identity, no matter how difficult or unpopular it may be,” said the LA Times.

Bono, who had identified as lesbian before embarking on gender reassignment, officially changed his name and gender in May 2010.