In 2020, I met Alex, a homeless person who shared with me his wish to become a woman. In getting to know him, I saw the layers of emotion, the hope and uncertainty tangled in his journey. Alex was open about his doubts and inner conflicts, and as we spoke, it became clear that his feelings were not linear. They were layered and at times contradictory.
I asked if I could film him as he explored these emotions, capturing expressions of vulnerability, fear, courage, and resilience. Alex agreed, and together we delved into his personal terrain of dreams and doubts. This film is a reflection of that journey—of what it means to live with questions that have no easy answers, in a world that often leaves little room for people to ask them.
Metanoia—a Greek word meaning a transformative change of heart or a profound shift in one’s way of being. This film captures Alex’s transformation, navigating dreams, doubts, and the deep desire for identity. As Alex shares his wish to become a woman, Metanoia unfolds as a raw exploration of human complexity, revealing the struggle and beauty in self-discovery. Through expressions of vulnerability, strength, and contradiction, the film immerses us in Alex’s inner world, inviting viewers to witness not just a story of gender identity, but a universal search for belonging and self-understanding.