Cisgender audiences are confronted by an inescapable irony as they watch “Girl,” the arrestingly empathetic debut from Belgian filmmaker Lukas Dhont. Few narrative dramas (if any) have more sensitively explored the nuances of growing up transgender, the bravery required to transition, and the struggle for self-acceptance that can motivate or define that process. Likewise, few narrative dramas (if any) have more palpably distilled the pain of being deadnamed, the humiliation of being reduced to your body, and the cruelty of being misrepresented as something that you’re not.

So how do we, who can only share in such experiences second-hand, square all that with the fact that the lead character — a 16-year-old ballerina who’s impatiently waiting for her gender-confirmation surgery — is played by a cisgender male actor?

READ THE FULL REVIEW ON INDIEWIRE

The poster does not do the aching, luminous nuance of this film justice. What a beautiful, sparing question about feminity this asks. I’m still looking for the answer.

It occurred to me as we left of the cinema, that there are barely any coming-of-age films that feature a transgender character centrally.
Girl does precisely this, the film is a poignant reflection of pain, humiliation but the self-confidence and the patience of this wonderful character really shines through.
Some of the ballet sequences were my favourite imagery in any recent film, they capture this desire of movement so well.
This is a film that isn't afraid to confront you with a reality you haven't seen a lot in cinema - and I really enjoyed it.

Black Swan meets Tomboy but FORGETS TO STICK THE LANDING, resulting in one of the most detrimental endings to a movie I've ever seen.

There's a beautiful nuance to this movie that is immediately crushed by the existential dread brought on by the real world implications of someone currently struggling to transition viewing the ending of this film.

Cannes 2018, Film 13/??

A quiet, yet very anxious movie that should be seen and hopefully will get the audience it deserves. Hell of a performance from the lead.

This will go up there as the ultimate trans teen movie. Beguiling, exceptionally sensitive portrayal of transformation and coming-of-age, with a beautiful and brutal central performance by its lead Victor Polster. First-time filmmaker Lukas Dhont directs with stunning docufiction intensity rare today.

It occurred to me as we left of the cinema, that there are barely any coming-of-age films that feature a transgender character centrally.
Girl does precisely this, the film is a poignant reflection of pain, humiliation but the self-confidence and the patience of this wonderful character really shines through.
Some of the ballet sequences were my favourite imagery in any recent film, they capture this desire of movement so well.
This is a film that isn't afraid to confront you with a reality you haven't seen a lot in cinema - and I really enjoyed it.

Great execution. Queer Palm?

Cisgender audiences are confronted by an inescapable irony as they watch “Girl,” the arrestingly empathetic debut from Belgian filmmaker Lukas Dhont. Few narrative dramas (if any) have more sensitively explored the nuances of growing up transgender, the bravery required to transition, and the struggle for self-acceptance that can motivate or define that process. Likewise, few narrative dramas (if any) have more palpably distilled the pain of being deadnamed, the humiliation of being reduced to your body, and the cruelty of being misrepresented as something that you’re not.

So how do we, who can only share in such experiences second-hand, square all that with the fact that the lead character — a 16-year-old ballerina who’s impatiently waiting for her gender-confirmation surgery — is played by a cisgender male actor?

READ THE FULL REVIEW ON INDIEWIRE

A remarkably tender, intimate, emotional drama about a young transgender teen dealing with the weight of the world as she tries to become a ballerina. A tremendous, empowering, extraordinary first film from Lukas Dhont. I'm stunned.

The first film by Flemish director Lukas Dhont. Touching portrait of a transgendered teen struggling to become a ballerina while transitioning to become a girl. The acting and direction are top notch. The editing is sharp and very well done. One of the best at Cannes this year. Looking forward to more from Lukas Dhont.

This will go up there as the ultimate trans teen movie. Beguiling, exceptionally sensitive portrayal of transformation and coming-of-age, with a beautiful and brutal central performance by its lead Victor Polster. First-time filmmaker Lukas Dhont directs with stunning docufiction intensity rare today.

The poster does not do the aching, luminous nuance of this film justice. What a beautiful, sparing question about feminity this asks. I’m still looking for the answer.

Black Swan meets Tomboy but FORGETS TO STICK THE LANDING, resulting in one of the most detrimental endings to a movie I've ever seen.

There's a beautiful nuance to this movie that is immediately crushed by the existential dread brought on by the real world implications of someone currently struggling to transition viewing the ending of this film.