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Amos Lassen wrote on 04/03/2011:

“Trantasia” from TLA Releasing is set in the neon-lit world of Las Vegas and goes behind the scenes for in an in depth look at a first ever contest, “World’s Most Beautiful Transsexual Pageant”. We watch six women who compete.
There is great drama here. Not only does the winner get a crown but also a role in a new Las Vegas review. This is no ordinary contest as it explores the dreams of the contestants and looks at their private lives and hears their hopes.
The film does not just look at the pageant but also shows the hometowns and tells the sincere and heartbreaking stories through interviews. The people who compete have not an easy road through life—they are united through persecution and their stories are highly personal. The fact that, with this pageant, they now have a chance to be what they have always dreamed of.
These are no ordinary drag queens; perhaps it is more correct to say that they were born as mistakes of nature and as they assume what they each believe to be their true gender. They push the envelope and they are deep and funny and entertain totally. We sometimes forget that they are as much a part of our community as everyone else and their struggle for acceptance of who they really are has not been easy.
Some of the characters are over the top and appear as larger than life but that is not what “Trantasia” is about. It is about the way some of our community struggles with being part of a larger whole.
“Trantasia” is a combination of intense drama and a contest that includes some unforgettable contestants. It gives an entire new look at a group of people that do not seem to want anything other than to be a part of society.

JDSLA wrote on 10/29/2009:

VARIETY - Dennis Harvey
"…upbeat and candid, sometimes outrageous, often inspiring. This enjoyable documentary…introduces colorful and diverse personalities who easily hold attention.”

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE:
"...a groundbreaking event."

ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT:
"Move over Miss America. This pageant is unlike anything you have ever seen."

SAN FRANCISCO OBSERVER:
"The crème de la crème... this doc is a stand out!”

FRAMELINE 30:
"Fascinating!"

LA CITYBEAT:
“Beguiling… remarkably candid… jaw-dropping!”

OUTFEST:
“Delightfully entertaining… Pushing the gender-bending envelope with humor, honesty and elegance.”

PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL G & L FILM FESTIVAL:
“Six drop-dead gorgeous contestants vie for the title of ‘World's Most Beautiful Transsexual’ in this wild, funny, sentimental and colorful documentary… makes for riveting viewing.”

PHILADELPHIA CITYPAPER.NET
“Recommended! …deeply humorous, occasionally poignant and infinitely entertaining.”
“Against the lame-and-crystal-studded backdrop of Las Vegas, Jeremy Stanford's documentary follows six of the contestants as they introduce him to their families, ambitions and candid, often surprising observations about transgender identity. Stanford paces the proceedings well.”

FLAVORPILL:
“Compelling… fascinating and ultimately touching, director Jeremy Stanford's critically acclaimed documentary digs deep into the lives of the former men now living (and competing) in women's shoes.“

IN MAGAZINE – LOS ANGELES:
“A fabulous, fascinating documentary… Trantasia has all the makings of a blockbuster!”

BAY WINDOWS – New England’s Largest GLBT Newspaper
“An excellent documentary. In touching and remarkably candid interviews, the women discuss their personal journeys... but what’s most surprising is what a wide cross section of the transgender experience has been captured. Debates over visibility versus passing, how much surgery to have, and even what it means to be trans are reflected in the contestant’s stories. The combination of interesting event, fascinating people and light touch makes for a compelling documentary that’s a must-see.”

THE EDGE online
“Inspirational and hilarious… touching and enlightening.”

WEHO NEWS.com
“In short, Trantasia is Trantastic! This look behind the scenes and from the front row is filled with wit, humor, pathos and endless entertainment. As director, producer and editor, Jeremy Stanford brings an assured hand to the captivating stories of the contestants and their friends and families.”

PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL - Festival Director (Darryl Macdonald)
“The exceptional film Trantasia was extremely well received by audiences, industry and press.”

PALM SPRINGS LIFE:
“In this colorful documentary Stanford adeptly mixes scenes with interviews of the girls and their families, building a framework that looks at transsexuality with respect as well as humor. With the addition of excellent cinematography and a lively soundtrack, you almost forget you are watching a documentary! There's a message of tolerance to be learned here and the filled theater loved it. As Cassandra Cass says in the film, "I'm just a human being -- with some bitchin' clothes." “

BOTTOM LINE - PALM SPRINGS:
“A must-see… a voyeuristic look behind the scenes as six contestants reveal what it is like to live as beautiful women. Trantasia presents the ultimate triumph of "sisterhood" in a moving humorous celebration of the human spirit.”

ABSOLUTE PALM SPRINGS
"…an inspiring documentary you shouldn't miss."

ON THE BOX - UK
“…heartfelt and so engaging… It’s remarkable viewing. You’ll be so wrapped up in the characters you’ve met, you’ll be on the edge of your seat willing your favourite to win… Touching in a way you never expected.”

ORANGE - UK
“…highly enjoyable… utterly hilarious”

TV SCOOP - UK
“Marvellous! You won't see many better documentaries than this. I was giddy after watching the revue and thrilled at the cracking, bitchy one-liners. I was also touched by the stories of those that starred in the show. Do not miss this.”

THELONDONPAPER - UK
“Highlighting the real lives behind the surreal dreams… there’s no shortage of characters on display. Makes for fun viewing.”