Girl is an intimate story about Lara, who is dedicated to making it as a ballerina. Her dreams are fueled by her supportive father, Mathias, who takes on the role of her ballet coach. Together they move to a new city in order for Lara to attend a prestigious ballet school. In addition to dealing with the pressures of the school, Lara is also navigating a difficult transition as a transgender girl, receiving hormone therapy and preparing for gender confirmation surgery.
The film explores the balance between Lara’s love of dance and her struggle with her gender identity. It delves into the challenges that transgender individuals face such as discrimination, access to healthcare, and limited representation in media. Lara’s feminine appearance and fragile frame are contrasted with the tough, rigorous training that ballet demands, highlighting the complex nature of her journey.
Throughout the film, Lara is faced with obstacles, overcoming immense physical pain and enduring emotional struggles as she navigates her transition while trying to become a professional ballerina. She is met with hostility from her classmates, and her dance instructor, while well-meaning, is unprepared to educate himself on transgender issues, belittling Lara’s situation in the process.
One of the most interesting aspects of the movie is the focus on the physical aspect of Lara’s transition. The camera frequently trains on various physical examinations and procedures that are essential to her journey. Polster’s eerie, vulnerable performance is captivating and emotive, accurately depicting the physical discomfort Lara endures during her journey.
The movie doesn’t shy away from showcasing the melodramatic aspects of Lara’s life, but it is not exploitative; it is rendered in the soft, empathetic lens of Dhont’s direction. The depiction of Lara’s emotions aligns perfectly with the slow-paced, melancholic score by Lukas Dhont and Valentin Hadjadj. The story is not only well-written but also successfully engrosses the audience, infusing somberness and bittersweet feelings within Lara’s character development.
In conclusion, Girl is not just a film about a transgender character; it’s a universal story about the tenacity of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. The film conveys a sense of authenticity and rawness that makes it an essential and captivating exploration of gender identity. With powerhouse performances and a nuanced understanding of a complex issue, it’s no surprise that the film received critical acclaim at international film festivals. It has undoubtedly left its mark on cinema as an unflinching, personal portrayal of one person’s struggle to find themselves in a world that doesn’t always allow them the space to.