GIRL

Belgium, 2018, 105 minutes, Colour.
Victor Polster, Arieh Worthalter.
Directed by Lukas Dhont.Fedeli

Girl is a contemporary film which takes up the issues of transgender. The setting is Belgian.

This is a story of Lara, a 16-year-old who wants to be a ballet dancer, interviewed for the ballet school, some hesitations on the part of the administration but finally her being accepted. For those who enjoy dancing films and ballet, there are quite a lot of scenes of rehearsals as well as performance.

The issue is that Lara is in a period of transition. She began life as Victor but has made her option, with guidance, with the acceptance of her father who assists her in hospital visits, giving advice, support. She also has a little brother who, at some moments, anxiously becomes confused about his brother/sister.

The school has some difficulties with Lara as a ballerina because of her physiognomy, different muscles, different bodily pressures, especially on the feet. This is frustrating for Lara but she perseveres.

In the meantime, there are many visits to the doctor, discussions about hormones, discussions about treatment, prospects for surgery. But, there is an embarrassing sequence for her when the other ballerinas want to see her private male parts. She reluctantly agrees but this has quite a negative effect on her. The other problem for her is the attraction of a boy who lives down stairs, having to cope then with her sexual orientations and attractions.

Ultimately, Lara becomes more desperate, wanting the surgery urgently – but, in a graphic sequence, castrating herself – and the last image of Lara walking with some sadness down the street.

Lara is played by the androgynous actor, Victor Poster.

1. The title? The introduction to Lara? The introduction to transgender themes?

2. The Belgian settings, homes, schools, the ballet auditorium, changing rooms? The city, streets, buses?

3. The musical score, the background to the drama, the music for the ballet sequences?

4. Lara’s story? Turning 16? A relationship with her father, a six-year-old brother? At home, ordinary life, the bonds between them?

5. Lara, as a boy, wanting to be a girl, want to be a ballerina? The background to the film, the diagnoses, the beginning of procedures, the discussions with the various doctors, physical, psychological, hormone treatment, puberty issues, the preparation for the transformation? The steps, hormones and treatment, weight, time needed? The detailed explanations by the doctor? Audience understanding?

6. Lara, temperament, generally calm, affectionate? Her schools? The interviews for the ballet school? The difficulties with her male background, body balance, toes, movement? Acceptance? Her satisfaction? The other dancers and their awareness? Tolerance? The issue of the changing room? The later seen when the girls demanded to see her masculinity, the effect on Lara?

7. The ballet sequences, used as a metaphor and point of reference? Her success, her practice, the effect on her feet, blood on her toes? Her determination? The manner of the instructors, demands, interactions with Lara?

8. Lara’s father, in himself, his acceptance of Lara’s situation, continued support, visits and interviews, to the doctors? His friendship with Christine? Lara, her becoming more reclusive, not communicating with him, his reaching out to her? The celebration of her birthday, of New Year? A good and sympathetic man?

9. Lara and her younger brother, care for him, his age, his calling her Victor? Upset? Reconciliation?

10. Lara and the boy downstairs, arranging meetings, discussions about affection and relationships? The sexual behaviour? Her reaction?

11. A growing desperation, self-castrating and desperate? Ringing the hospital, the ambulance? Her father and his support?

12. The final image of her walking along the street – her future, audiences speculating about what would happen?