Tearful Munroe Bergdorf fights for trans rights – and herself – in powerful documentary trailer

The powerful trailer for Munroe Bergdorf’s documentary film Love & Rage has arrived, promising what looks to be a complex and nuanced portrayal of the trans activist’s life and work.

Love & Rage: Munroe Bergdorf is directed by Olivia Cappuccini (Andy Murray: Resurfacing) and tells the “intimate and unflinching story” of the 37-year-old author, model and transgender trailblazer, whilst also serving as a “call to action, sparking a universal conversation of hope and inspiration”.

The film, which will be shown in UK cinemas on June 10 and 11, touches on Berdorf’s personal story – including navigating transphobia, racism and difficult relationships – whilst weaving together memories from her formative years with present-day issues and using “stylised sequences and a sensory soundscape to reflect the complexity of her experiences”.

Audiences will learn about her “resilience, the importance of her chosen family, and witness her healing process as she moves forward to create a joyful future on her own terms”. 

The trailer, released on Tuesday (13 May), showcases the highs of Bergdorf’s career so far – her activism, modelling career and L’Oréal campaign – as well as her darkest lows and the changing attitudes to trans people in the UK.

“I was getting modelling jobs. I could, you know, ‘throw a look’,” Bergdorf jokes in the trailer. “L’Oréal, the biggest beauty company in the world wanted to work with me and then that level of influence got higher and higher.

“As great as it was, the takedown was ten times worse.”

As the trailer continues, Bergdorf is shown to be tears and asks the camera: “If we can’t love, what is the point?”

When filming finished last year, Bergdorf described the process of creating the documentary as a “nerve-wracking” but expressed joy at having done so.

“It was a nerve-wracking experience to let Olivia Cappuccini into my world for the past few years but I’m so glad I did. She has so elegantly and sensitively captured my journey and how it has shaped me into the person I’ve become today,” she said.

“I hope this documentary will provide inspiration and empowerment to people in similar situations to me and help educate those who aren’t aware of the issues that the transgender community continue to face every day.”

Love & Rage: Munroe Bergdorf will be available to watch in UK cinemas on 10 and 11 June.

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