Instructions for Survival

Alexander and Mari live in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. There the young couple cannot live in peace, visit family gatherings, or buy a flat, all because Alexander is trans. In a country where in 2019, instead of Pride, a march for family purity under the patronage of the Orthodox Church and with the support of Russian propaganda was organised, Alex must constantly hide his identity. He works illegally, because using his ID with another registered name would be too risky. On top of that, he has gathered all information on transition solely online and the means for hormonal treatment from the local trans community, because there’s no place for trans people in the Georgian healthcare system either. The only solution seems to be emigrating from the hostile environment. But where can they get enough money? Mari decides to become a surrogate mother… This intimate observational documentary about omnipresent fear, uncertainty, but also the couple’s mutual trust and strength, was directed by the successful Yana Ugrekhelidze, who comes from Tbilisi herself. The film premiered at this year’s Berlinale and won a Teddy Jury Award.