Watch Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story

Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story is a documentary film released in 2014, directed by Sandrine Orabona and Mark Herzog. The film follows the life of Kristin Beck, who was formerly known as Christopher Beck, a former United States Navy SEAL who famously came out as a transgender woman in 2013. The documentary tells her story from her early years as a boy growing up in Virginia, her 20-year service in the Navy SEALs, the decision to transition from male to female, and her struggle to find acceptance both within her family and among her fellow SEALs.

The film begins with archival footage of Kristin Beck as a Navy SEAL, and as the audience learns about her accomplishments serving in the military, they are also introduced to her inner turmoil surrounding her gender identity. Throughout her service, she had boyfriends and had pictured herself as a man but later realized that it was her way of suppressing her feelings about being a woman trapped inside a man's body.

The documentary then takes the viewers back to Kristin's childhood, where she grew up as the only boy in a family of four siblings. Her father was a decorated Marine, and the film shows how she tried to emulate him to gain his approval. Kristin discusses her struggles with gender identity and how it affected her behaviour throughout her adolescence and into adulthood, including a failed marriage and a stint working as a police officer.

The documentary follows Kristin in her journey with transitioning, from attending therapy sessions to having a facial feminization surgery. It shows the different challenges she faced in accepting herself and in trying to gain support from her family and friends. The film also presents her struggle to find acceptance at the SEAL community, where she spent the majority of her adult life. The movie features interviews with some of her friends, fellow SEALs, and family members. The documentary also addresses her career and the significant role Kristin Beck played in clandestine missions for the United States, including fighting to protect her country after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

Lady Valor is an intimate portrait of a woman searching for her true identity, and the difficulties and struggles she faces along the way. The documentary leaves the audiences with a deep sense of admiration for Kristin's courage and perseverance as she navigated a path that many find impossible to handle. Despite the potential backlash of being a former Navy SEAL coming out as transgender, Lady Valor shows how Kristin Beck continues to be a role model, raising awareness about gender identity and helping to change perceptions within the military.

In summary, this documentary tells the inspiring story of a remarkable woman who served her country in the military, faced tremendous personal struggles and finally found clarity about her true gender identity. Kristin's journey and personal sacrifices demonstrated her service to the country in multiple capacities, contributing significantly to national security. Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story is a candid, emotional, and authentic glimpse into the life of an individual who stood firm in her identity and fought for what she believed was right.

Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.