Reviews

Soldier's Girl is a human drama film based on the true events of the life of Barry Winchell who served as a private in the 101st Airborne Division. He was killed by a fellow private Glover who beat him to death which was said to be initiated by fellow soldier and roommate Justin Fisher. The event of his murder circulated around the time that he began a relationship with a transgender performer Calpernia.

The film follows the strong prejudice and discrimination towards sexual minorities in the military. The film signifies the presence of the policy "Don't Ask Don't Tell" that was told to be for the security of homosexuals but also became more of an important drive to practice homophobia. The event covered by the film in itself has a very violent nature, it explores that homophobia doesn't stop as a prejudice, but extends its hand to violent discrimination.

Through Winchell's soft and gentle personality, the film succeeds in presenting the contrast between his very "standard male masculinity" of his exterior and his emotional side. His characteristics presents a certain warmth and loyalty as a person but also as a military private. This characteristic also helped establish the same mood to his relationship with Calpernia. The film portrays the relationship between the two as if it was a natural and succeeds in the genuine chemistry and love that both have for each other. It does not give a technical or clear definition and explanation of what Winchell's sexuality is and this enables the film to focus on their interaction as humans and love for each other that greatly contributes to their chemistry and depth of their relationship. Over all the film balances maintaining its commitment to sending a political message but also the emotional aspect of the characters in the film.

Princesa follows the life of Fernanda a transvestite Brazilian prostitute living in Milan. She desires to have a sex change which leads her to work in the streets to support this decision. The film under the human drama genre follows the motives and emotional struggle Fernanda goes through living as a trans gender and prostitute. As her will of becoming a woman is becomes stronger, the barriers that come with being a transsexual/trans gender also hit her hard. As she falls in love with a straight man Gianni, and finds light in the darkness of society's perception and prejudice against her, her life seem to move in a positive and normal direction. But as the film moves forward, Fernanda realizes that a sex change would not give her what she's always wanted: to become a normal woman. The film covers the inner emotional journey a trans gender or transsexual goes through in association with society. The film in no way glamourizes or romanticizes the position transsexuals are put in society, but it explores and provides a point of view for an audience with no knowledge or little knowledge on the topic. It also portrays the environment and work that trans genders are drawn into because of society's lack of acceptance and opportunity. For someone who has little knowledge of the industry they work in, it was chaotic and overwhelming to process, but nonetheless very educational. Fernanda's relationship with Gianni was also covered in a way that allows the audience to understand Fernanda's identity as a woman. With Gianni, although their first encounter was as a client and prostitute, it clearly became clear their relationship was based on emotional attachment and pure attraction to each other. Although their relationship seemed healthy and equal, Fernanda was still hit with the reality and insecurity that she may never be the "True Woman" she wanted to.

Normal is a human drama about a married man who makes a decision to go through a sex- change operation. He confesses to his wife that he has been struggling with a gender disorder since he was a child.

The film without a doubt explores the life of Ruth, in the most realistic and non-glamorous way possible without eliminating its emotional connection with the audience. As a truck factory worker in a very masculine working environment, and living in a very small town that is limited in such knowledge on alternative lifestyle, Ruth struggles to be accepted, respected or even looked as a human being. His relationship with his wife is explored in a non glamorous way, and clearly sets the stands for both Ruth's and his wife Irma's character, their view on the situation and their emotional journey through the process of Ruth's sex change. The reaction from their off springs is another subject that the film succeeded in representing. Both children have different reactions to their father's decision, but relate and explain their reactions from their age and characteristics. Both Irma and Ruth have great acting that transcends their emotional journey and hardship through such less explored topics on gender in film. But the film does not take the topic of gender completely foreign and stills keeps the mood of common social issues the same way it does with other human dramas, which succeeds in making it easier for the audience to consumer.

The Beautiful Boxer is a Thai drama based on the real life of Nong Thoom, a transgender Muay Thai boxer. It follows his struggles as a transgender and his problems he faces with family, as a Muay Thai boxer, and the Media's sensational focus on his identity. This film is full of insightful human drama and with sometimes comedic element that really captures the innocence of Nong Thoom to follows his destiny and finds his place in society. The gender of Nong Thoom is clearly portrayed throughout his life and his passion for the beauty of Muay Thai boxing. The two seem to not go together and creates his struggles with the industry and the prejudice that attacks with his character. As he becomes more comfortable in his own skin, he realizes through the media's attention that he is not truly accepted by society. The film succeeds in portraying the balance Nong Thoom's mentality as a woman and his physical need to be a woman. Stereotypes towards transgenders and transsexuals in Thai are also shown. Although their identities are quite known in mainstream culture, they are not "accepted" or respected as other "standard genders". The film also focuses on the childhood of Nong Thoom, and sends a particularly strong element to understand the motif and psychology behind his "decision" to be a woman, merely to show that it is what he is destined to be.

Just Like a Woman follows the story of a transvestite man's life with both the elements of drama and light comedy. The film follows his struggles and process of accepting himself his relationship with society by being a transvestite.

Gerald, by society's standard, seems to live a perfect life, a successful career and a family. But he lives a double life and by night turns into Geraldine, a transvestite who is only known by his friends with in the community. He struggles with this double life, and is frightened by the consequences if he ever lives an overlap between his two identities. After meeting Monica, gradually he becomes comfortable with his identity, mostly by the help of finding an accepting partner. Although there have been many films that portray human sexuality, there are less films that tells the story of particularly transvestites. For an average person to understand the motifs and psychology behind a transvestite person, this film succeeds in introducing this particular identity through its easy to watch genre. The broad definition of "transvestite" is simply explained; a man that is attracted to the opposite sex but has the urge or will to dress-up, or become a woman. . Gerald and Geraldine are both capable of living quit a successful life and are not mentally impaired but only has an disadvantage because of society's perception on his identity.

It does not quiet explore the deeper reasoning behind it, but the film works in a sense that analyzing may not be always a necessity when one's sexuality is portrayed; it's just the way they are. Which is the essential goal of accepting one's sexuality or identity, is to accept them who they are.

French Twist explores the sexual fluidity that people possess with an upbeat and fun nature. By categorizing the flow and charm of the film as a romantic/comedy, it draws and entertains the audience to a usually controversial and taboo topic, especially for American viewers. While covering the topics of gender roles and sexuality, it transcends and opens up these issues in a charming mood.

Certain stereotypes for both genders are explored through the characters mainly of Loli and Laurent. Laurent as the cheating husband who is portrayed as emotionally distant from his wife. Loli as the ambitious housewife who seems to be dissatisfied with her life as one. Although stereotypes of Loli's role as a housewife seem to be something pushed to her rather than she deliberately or naturally takes advantage of like Laurent does. Although the character of Marijo is physically stereotyped as a butch lesbian, her relationship with Loli show a clear contrast between her relationship with her husband. The film succeeds in showing the dynamic, and in the end harmony between the three main characters.

Although the course of events move faster than what the audience would expect, it adds up to and emphasizes the light hearted comedic theme. Over all this film covers many issues that conveys into a human drama that may or may not happen to some of us.