Filmmaker Dar Dowling has long been drawn to stories that uncover hidden truths and challenge how we see the world. #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos has the scoop.
Her latest short documentary, “Double Take,” follows Moshe Browning, a transgender man, as he reflects on the profound differences in how society treated him before and after his transition—offering a powerful perspective on male privilege.
The project came about almost by accident. Dowling had been deep in production on her documentary Here I Am when Browning shared a deeply personal story. “During the shoot, Moshe told me he had come out to his congregation as transgender in a speech about male privilege. That immediately sparked my curiosity,” Dowling recalls. “I started asking questions, and before I knew it, I realized I was making another film.”
What makes “Double Take” so compelling is not only Browning’s story, but also his unique position to tell it. Having lived for years as a woman and later transitioning to become a man, he has experienced firsthand the stark contrasts in treatment and expectations. For Dowling, this dual perspective was too important not to document.
Her inquisitive nature is what makes her such a natural fit for documentary filmmaking. “Earlier in my career, I worked as a journalist, and I see documentaries as an extension of that work. I love asking questions—and the answers people give are often surprising, diverse, and poignant. Those conversations always lead me to ask more,” she explains.
Still, “Double Take” wasn’t part of the plan. Dowling was simply gathering extra sound bites and pickup shots for Here I Am when Browning shared his story. She quickly realized this wasn’t just another chapter of that film—it needed to stand on its own. One of the most powerful and difficult moments to capture came when Browning spoke candidly about a man who tried to rape him when he was a woman. “It was raw, heartbreaking, and deeply real,” Dowling says. “It stayed with me long after filming.”
The film will screen on September 19 at the Women’s Film Festival in Philadelphia, a moment that holds deep meaning for Dowling. “I’m very excited about it. The Women’s Film Festival is an incredible platform, and the fact that it takes place in such an iconic city—one tied to liberty and truth—makes it even more meaningful. As a documentary filmmaker, it doesn’t get better than that.”
Themes of identity, transformation, and truth run through much of Dowling’s work, and “Double Take” is no exception. “We live in a time when some people claim that male privilege doesn’t exist. But Moshe’s perspective is powerful—who better to shed light on it than someone who has lived on both sides of that divide?”
Looking ahead, Dowling hopes “Double Take” sparks reflection and conversation. “I hope it makes people stop and think. It’s so easy to slip into the daily status quo, but when we step outside of our old perceptions, life becomes richer and far more interesting. That’s what I want my work with DarMa Productions to keep doing—challenging audiences, sparking conversations, and opening up new ways of seeing the world.”
“Double Take” builds on Dowling’s growing body of work, which includes provocative and deeply personal films such as Hey Mom, What’s Sex?, Apocalection, By Any Means, Here I Am, and Hineni. Each project, in its own way, explores identity, human connection, and the truths we often overlook—cementing Dowling’s place as a filmmaker who brings both courage and curiosity to the screen.
To learn more about Dar Dowling, visit her official website and follow her on Instagram.
