Chaz Bono documentary Becoming Chaz will launch the OWN Documentary Film Club on Tuesday, May 10 (8–10 p.m. ET/PT).
Los Angeles, CA — The world television premiere of the highly anticipated Chaz Bono documentary Becoming Chaz, the story of Chaz Bono's transformation from a woman to a man, will launch the OWN Documentary Film Club on Tuesday, May 10 (8–10 p.m. ET/PT) on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Immediately following the film, OWN Documentary Film Club collaborator Rosie O'Donnell will host a one-hour primetime special event from 10–11 p.m. ET/PT. In the special, O'Donnell will talk with Chaz, his girlfriend Jennifer Elia, the filmmakers and other transgender people and their families about this life changing experience.

Becoming Chaz is the story of Chaz Bono's emotional and physical gender transition, a journey of identity and self-discovery. Born Chastity, the only child of the legendary musical team Sonny and Cher, Chaz grew up feeling uncomfortable in the spotlight, struggling to live inside a body that he knew wasn't truly his. Deciding there was no choice but to undergo sex reassignment surgery, Chaz and his girlfriend Jennifer decided to document his deeply personal transformation so that others can learn from his experience. Directed and produced by veteran Sundance filmmakers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, who along with their production company World of Wonder, have been the creative forces behind a long history of powerful, groundbreaking and innovative documentaries and features.

Becoming Chaz premiered to rave reviews at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival with the Los Angeles Times calling the film "wildly engaging." The Hollywood Reporter said, Becoming Chaz is a real-life look inside the home and hearts of two brave and glorious individuals. Told with finesse, compassion and wit...will hit nerves and touch hearts." AOL Moviefone called it "an engaging and educational look at one person's journey to make his outsides match his inside," and CNN called it "incredibly moving."

The one hour special with Rosie O'Donnell following the film will be executive produced by Hud:sun Media for OWN. Michael Rourke is the executive producer and Mioshi Hill is the co-executive producer of the special.

Watch a trailer of Becoming Chaz at https://oprah.com/own/OWN-Sneak-Peek-Becoming-Chaz

About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network 
A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN debuted on January 1, 2011, in approximately 80 million homes on what was the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own and www.press.discovery.com/us/own. 

About World of Wonder:
 
Award-winning and innovative production company World of Wonder was founded by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato in 1991. It has created award-winning films and documentaries such as Inside Deep Throat, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Party Monster and Monica in Black and White, and is the creator of such entertaining hit series as RuPaul's Drag Race (Logo) and Million Dollar Listings (Bravo). In addition to producing twenty three films for HBO they have also been official selections at the Sundance film festival seven times. Their documentary, The Last Beekeeper (Planet Green), recently won an Emmy® Award for Outstanding Nature Programming. They are currently producing Finding Sarah, a documentary series featuring Sarah the Duchess of York (OWN).
 

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