Director Tuğba Baykal’s documentary Super Hero Intersex, which focuses on the experiences of three intersex activists, was screened online at QueerFest despite the ban on the festival.

Intersex activists Belgin Günay, Şerife Yurtseven and Yasemin Bahar’s documentary Super Hero Intersex, which focuses on the rights violations and daily lives of intersex people through their personal experiences, was screened as part of QueerFest in Ankara on Saturday, February 24th.

After the online screening, Anjelik Kelavgil moderated a discussion about the documentary with director Baykal and activists Günay and Bahar. The film attracted a lot of interest from the participants and the interview part reflected this interest with the intensity of the questions and answers.

The director and actors were accompanied by OII Europe activists Jana Hugo and Irene Kuzemko from Germany. Hugo and Kuzemko talked about the violations of intersex people’s rights, their expectations and the intersex movement from a continent-wide perspective.

In the interview, Irene Kuzemko pointed out that the film has an empowering language and said that they admired the resilience and strength of the LGBTI+ movement in Turkey and that they encountered a very effective movement despite all obstacles. Kuzemko also congratulated the activist heroes of the film for their openness and courage in expressing their lives and the rights violations that intersex people face.

Director Tuğba Baykal stated that her main goal in making the film was to increase the visibility of intersex people and she believes that they have achieved this. Baykal stated that she wants the intersex movement to use the film as they wish and thanked QueerFest for its contribution to reaching the masses. Baykal also expressed his gratitude to Gökçe İnce, co-producer and editor of the film, for his contributions.

Superhero Intersex will continue its adventures in national and international festivals.

Superhero Intersex

Year of production 2024

Duration 43 minutes

Director: Tuğba Baykal

Cast: Belgin Günay, Şerife Yurtseven, Aslı Yasemin Bahar