This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous

This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous is a compelling transformative documentary, released in 2017, directed by two-time Academy award-winner Barbara Kopple. It provides an intimate look into the life of Canadian internet celebrity and YouTube sensation, Gigi Lazzarato, who is better known as Gigi Gorgeous.

The film is not just a brief into the glamorous lifestyle of a YouTube celebrity, but a profound exploration of her journey. Gigi, born as Gregory Allan Lazzarato, was a national diving champion committed to hard work from a young age. However, her life took an unexpected turn following the loss of her mother and her own internal struggle with gender identity. This documentary presents an evocative story about the transition of Gregory to Gigi, a brave decision taken by her to align her gender identity with her self-hood.

Known from YouTube channels as a bubbly and lively person, Gigi had always been vocal about her journey from a gender transition perspective. However, in this two-hour documentary, viewers are offered a much deeper dive into her life which is larger than an average YouTube video. The film takes the viewers on her extraordinary transformation journey, including her surgical procedures and hormonal treatments, set amidst the emotional challenges and societal acceptance she faced along the way.

Supporting cast members in the film include Cory Binney, Scott Fisher, and August Getty. These individuals add important layers to the story and offer perspectives on Gigi's journey from their own points of view. Throughout the film, the narrative is peppered with personal interviews with Gigi's friends and family, providing a balanced portrayal of her story. The viewer is able to get a better understanding of how they've been involved in her transition, and the roller-coaster of emotions that they've all been through.

Cory Binney, who stars as Gigi’s once boyfriend, adds an emotional element to the film, while Scott Fisher gives it a fatherly influence, demonstrating not just acceptance of his child, but also unconditional love. August Getty, a fashion designer who is a good friend to Gigi, adds a bit of the fashion runway glitz to the story. Together, they help bring Gigi's story to life.

The documentary is in many ways a celebration of Gigi’s new-found identity and life, but also doesn’t shy away from depicting the struggle that Gigi went through to get there. The film effectively uses a mix of historical footage, family archives, video blogs, and personal interviews to create an honest, multi-faceted portrayal of her journey. The film communicates about not only the transformation of Gigi from a beloved son to glamourous daughter but also threads the path of her father's acceptance journey with her transformation.

This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous is not just a look into the life of a transgender woman, but it explores the different aspects of her personal life, relationships with family and friends, and her fight for self-discovery and acceptance. It shines a spotlight on the multiple changes she underwent throughout her life, which included not only her physical transformation but the emotional challenges that came with it.

What makes "This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous" stand out is the candid approach taken by Gigi in sharing her journey. The film insists on the honest representation of experiences and emotions that accompany the path of transition. It is this personal and heartfelt approach to storytelling that strikes a chord with audiences across the world, making it a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of gender identity and transition.

Balancing moments of joy, anxiety, acceptance, and rejection, Kopple turns this important tale into an equally enjoyable and touching experience. The film is a tribute to Gigi Gorgeous, her determination to be herself, and the people around her who joined her on the journey. The film is thus about courage, acceptance, and most importantly, the power of genuine love that transcends all societal norms and prejudices.

While This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous is about Gigi’s story, it is also a tale that many transgender individuals around the world could relate to. It is representative of the emotional and practical challenges that transcend geographical boundaries and cultural differences. Therefore, Gigi's story has a universal appeal unconventional inspiration embedded within it, letting every viewer take a little of Gigi's spirit with them.