The pseudonymous Agnes was a pioneering transgender woman who participated in an infamous gender health study conducted at UCLA in the 1960s. Her clever use of the study to gain access to gender-affirming healthcare led to her status as a fascinating and celebrated figure in trans history. In this innovative cinematic exercise that blends fiction and nonfiction, director Chase Joynt (No Ordinary Man) uses Agnes’s story, along with others unearthed in long-shelved case files, to widen the frame through which trans history is viewed. Through a collaborative practice of reimagination, an all-star cast of trans performers, artists, and thinkers – including Angelica Ross (Pose), Jen Richards (Mrs. Fletcher), and Zackary Drucker (Transparent) – take on vividly rendered, impeccably vintage reenactments, bringing to life groundbreaking artifacts of trans history. This collective reclamation breaks down the myth of isolation among transgender history-makers, breathing new life into a lineage of collaborators and conspirators who have been forgotten for far too long.

For thoughts on Framing Agnes, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:

[youtube https://youtu.be/EZXKpYBBKKY?t=2258]

Video Quality

Framing Agnes comes to DVD with a fairly strong 480p transfer that presents the movie as well as the format will allow. This film brings together newly shot interview footage with some archival clips which provides different levels of visual quality. The recent interviews look really great and clear depending on the lighting situation of the specific shooting location. The archival clips seem to be of the best quality available to the filmmakers. Skin tones look natural and details hold up fairly well in close up. Colors come more alive in some clothing, and black levels are subject to a bit of crush and compression artifacting. We would have much preferred a Blu-Ray presentation, but the image is strong enough and pleasing given the format limitations.

Audio Quality

The DVD comes with a Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 track that does everything it needs to do just fine. Dialogue exchanges are clear throughout with the stable shooting environments greatly aiding the clarity of the subject’s words. There is not much that is going to liven up the soundscape outside of some musical cues and light environmental noise. This track appears to be free from any damage or other issues that would lessen your enjoyment. This presentation is about as good as you might want from this type of film. The film is presented with English SDH subtitles for those who need them.

Special Features

Framing Agnes (2019 Short Film): The original 19-minute short film from 2019 by Chase Joynt & Kristen Schilt which served as inspiration for the feature film is provided here which covers much of the same material as the feature but with less production value. There are still some unique insights in this piece which make it worth a watch to see how the presentation developed.

Trailers: The two-minute trailer is provided for Framing Agnes. There are also trailers provided for Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche, Loudmouth, Love Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter and Lowndes County and the Road To Black Power.

Final Thoughts

Framing Agnes is a very timely and rewarding look at trans history, much of which has been kept under wraps until recent years. With as long as it has been since these men and women lived and shared their experiences, it is more than a little disheartening to recognize so many familiar sentiments from modern times. The structure that Chase Joynt brings to this film works very well as you get both the visceral history as well as how it impacts those who are bringing these stories to life. The film is very brief, but it packs a big emotional punch. Kino Lorber has released a DVD sporting a fine A/V transfer, but a Blu-Ray would have been greatly preferred. If the subject interests you even in the slightest, please seek it out. Recommended

Framing Agnes is currently available to purchase on DVD and Digital.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the DVD.

Disclaimer: Kino Lorber has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.