Spanning almost two decades, ADAM’S APPLE is a personal documentary about a family in transition, intimately filmed from the perspectives of artist Amy Jenkins and her son, Adam. Each equipped with a camera, the film creatively chronicles an ever-shifting dynamic as Adam charts his own path toward manhood. Amid current restrictions on trans youth, the film centers on Adam, a transgender man, from childhood through adolescence. The story unfolds through dual viewpoints: Adam and his mother Amy, a visual artist. As Adam asserts himself and seeks independence, his mother grapples with the challenge of letting go.
The film weaves together home videos, verité footage, and metaphorical imagery to create a visually poetic coming-of-age journey. Instead of focusing solely on Adam’s medical transition or trauma, it celebrates everyday moments of adolescence, fostering empathy and joy. Early footage reveals Adam’s discomfort with his assigned gender, with moments like wearing a Superman costume under his clothes. Verité footage documents significant milestones in Adam’s transition—his first testosterone injection, name-change processes, and double mastectomy—highlighting both his assuredness and his family’s emotional journey. By his senior year, Adam begins documenting his own life, shifting the narrative beyond traditional transition stories. As he prepares to leave for college, the film captures a universal story of growth, healing, and the beauty of becoming oneself through the lens of both parent and child.
Over the past five years, transgender children and their families have faced increasingly restrictive laws targeting vital aspects of their lives, from access to gender-affirming healthcare to participation in sports and the use of facilities aligning with their identity. The legislative attacks, compounded with social stigma, have created an environment of fear and uncertainty for trans youth and their families. This current cultural context is the background from which ADAM’S APPLE emerges. The story of a family living in this climate is incredibly urgent as politicians, physicians, and others are the ones shaping the narrative around young trans people and their families. For the public to gain a greater understanding and become active advocates for the rights of transgender individuals – particularly youth – positive stories from families like ours must be heard. It is key to directly listen to these young individuals and balance that with the anecdotes from their parents. Our film aims to bridge this gap, offering a personal and hopeful perspective amid the challenging socio-political landscape.
Made possible with the generous support of The Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program and Producers Intensive, Point’s North, The LEF Foundation, The Perspective Fund, The Film Study Center Fellowship at Harvard University, and The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
