Orlando, My Political Biography is a 2023 French documentary directed by philosopher and writer Paul B. Preciado. This experimental film reimagines Virginia Woolf’s 1928 novel Orlando: A Biography through the lens of contemporary trans and non-binary experiences. Preciado brings together 26 individuals, aged 8 to 70, who each portray Orlando, blending personal narratives with Woolf’s fictional character to explore themes of gender identity, transformation, and societal norms.
The film blurs the lines between reality and fiction, serving as a personal essay, historical analysis, and social manifesto. It critiques traditional gender binaries and challenges institutional frameworks like psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry. Preciado himself appears in the film, adding layers of autobiographical insight.
Premiering at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, the documentary received critical acclaim, winning the Teddy Award for Best Documentary and a Special Jury Prize in the Encounters section. Critics have described it as a “playful documentary with a poetic spirit” that offers an inventive and intellectual exploration of identity.
Orlando, My Political Biography is available for streaming on platforms like the Criterion Channel.
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