Southern Comfort

UPC: 767685953938

Studio: New Video Group

MPAA Rating: NR   Contains:null

Summary: 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. ~ Jason Clark, Rovi

Category: Culture & Society

Awards: Documentary Grand Jury Prize – Sundance Film Festival

Features: Deleted scenes
Cast interviews
Exclusive photo gallery
Filmmaker and crew biographies
Filmmaker statement
Interactive menus
Scene selection

Southern Comfort

Format: DVD

Release Date: 03/25/2003

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Pre-1954 Standard

Audio: DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo

Runtime: 90 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Chapters: Side #1 --
1. Introduction [1:45]
2. Spring [5:13]
3. Time Is Running Out [10:25]
4. Summer [5:56]
5. Meeting the Friends [5:08]
6. Family Reunion [13:08]
7. True Love [8:59]
8. Fall [12:46]
9. Southern Comfort Conference [3:28]
10. My Chosen Family [9:42]
11. Winter [9:45]
12. Credits [1:23]

Jason Clark

Kate Davis' remarkable, emotionally searing documentary earns its place as one of the strongest documentaries at the turn of the century not only because of its astute look at an underrepresented subculture, but in its open-hearted, utterly warm view of the subject. Using a formalist but heartfelt approach, Davis finds true intimacy with Robert Eads, introducing audiences to a fascinating and layered individual who sticks in the memory because of his sheer decency as a human being. More than being a chronicle of the injustices levied upon transsexuals -- who face discrimination and unfair medical treatment -- the film has a refreshing sense of honesty about Southern lifestyles and prejudice. It never succumbs to cheap sentimentality to get the viewer to empathize with the people portrayed. A fiercely intelligent filmmaker, Davis lets all of her work's extraordinary moments speak for themselves, and as a result, the film has an undeniable staying power; one feels better for having spent time with all the people onscreen. In a wonderful victory, Davis deservedly won the Grand Jury Prize for documentary feature at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Jason Clark, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Robert Eads  Actor 
Maxwell Scott Anderson  Actor 
Lola Cola  Actor 
Joel Harrison  Composer (Music Score) 
Sheila Nevins  Executive Producer 
Kate Davis  Director 
Kate Davis  Producer 
Elizabeth Adams  Producer 

Country: USA