I discovered Regretters, this little gem of a film, in 2010, while accompanying one of my own films to a festival. Its subject was quite unusual: two people who had undergone gender transition when they were younger and who, years later, had come to regret that decision. A style of documentary quite far removed from my own, but whose bold approach immediately caught my attention. The theatrical staging is simple and effective (at times, it even brings to mind Lars von Trier’s Dogville), but it is above all the two characters—these larger-than-life eccentrics—who steal the show. They are simply incredible!

I also became friends with its director, Marcus Lindeen, who works primarily as a theatre director in Sweden. We crossed paths at various festivals over the years, and he’s a wonderful person, bursting with talent. Over time, I lent out the “screener DVD” he had given me back then to dozens of people (by the way, who’s the rascal who never gave it back?). So when Tënk kindly invited me to present a film following the theatrical release of my latest work, Kindergarten, I of course jumped at the opportunity to share this one with you.

Jean-François Caissy
Filmmaker