Romeos

(2011, Germany, Sabine Bernadi) - ***

A sweet German film that tells the story of a teenage Trans Male (Female to Male) and his transition to his gender identity. As a result of intolerance, he is placed in the girls dorm and develops relationships with boys.  He falls for the bad ass gay boy and the story evolves round the exposure of his birth gender.

This film shows two issues for the transgender community. First, the extent of discrimination and lack of knowledge that exists from the non-trans community - straight, gay, lesbian and bi. The film manages to do it in a non dramatic or preaching way which make it a less issue driven film.

The second is the differentiation of trans issues from sexual orientation. The fact that the lead character fancies men and there are no questions of whether he had made a mistake is very clever. Although we do have the LGBT community, I always feel the trans strand is slightly misplaced. I understand the trans community has been included for solidarity but the grouping always marginalises them. I think the LGB can be supportive while separate and there is a wide section of LGB people who are ignorant towards trans issues.

Overall a thoughtful and clever film.

Sasha

(2010, Germany, Dennis Todorovic) - **

There are a number of cliches in any average gay film, including:

• the nervousness of browsing the gay mags in a newsagents
• unrequited love
• come out to their best female friend who confesses her love for him
• the father reacts angrily 

Sasha had this all. Sasha, the older son of a Montenegro family who moved to Germany 20 years ago as a result of the Yugoslav conflicts, is madly in love with his piano teacher as he prepares for an audition. He admits best friend Jiou, from a Chinese family, of his feelings. Following news that his teacher is leaving for Vienna, he falls apart and his sexuality is exposed to his family.

What was good about this film was the story of two different 'alien' families. I loved the Montenegro family and their reminiscing about their native country. In particular, I love the fact the parents want to give their children their full chance to reach their potential having lost their opportunity. Although growing up being gay can be one of the worst periods of a gay boy's life but the gay angst ridden moments have been done a million times in the same way. I would have been more interested if the story had taken place in Montenegro and showed homophobia in that society.

Montenegro are improving their legislative record on LGBT rights in order to help with EU membership but homophobia is still entrenched within their culture. Even so, I think the family would had been 'Germanised' enough to be a little more accepting than they were.

A nice try but could do better.