As a film critic, I found myself deeply moved by the Italian documentary “GEN_,” a compelling exploration of contentious political topics such as medical transition and the struggles faced by transgender communities. Directed by Gianluca Matarrese, this thought-provoking piece offers an unorthodox yet powerful perspective. The story follows several months in the life of Dr. Bini, a seasoned fertility and hormone specialist nearing retirement, whose professional journey is fraught with navigating his patients’ complex personal lives and the conservative legalities that govern them.
In essence, the film’s message appears straightforward on the surface, aiming to make trans bodies, discussions about gender dysphoria, and non-traditional pregnancies like IVF seem ordinary. However, the way it delivers this message is far from simple. The movie starts off subtly, depicting Bini gathering mushrooms in a landscape, suggesting a man connected with nature. This initial scene then transitions into his professional life. This approach not only provides a broader view of Bini’s life beyond his office in Milan but also presents his medical specialties as part of the natural world, rather than as abnormal or deviant, as some critics might view them.
A significant portion of the documentary features interviews taking place at Bini’s desk, showcasing his conversational style as both comfortable yet direct. These conversations are primarily filmed in profile view, which may appear unusual for a film aiming to make its subjects relatable (the movie uses close-ups facing forward sparingly), but this seemingly impersonal, informative approach serves a dual purpose. It establishes a sense of academic detachment, yet it also enables Bini to gradually bridge the gap through his numerous discussions as he shares facts, statistics, and alternatives with both transgender and cisgender patients.
Some people seek him out for assistance with gender transition (which can involve surgery and hormonal therapy), while others come to him for help in conceiving, having faced numerous challenges. The movie, through Bini’s knowledge and skills, provides insights into the diverse techniques and complexities associated with these life experiences, often highlighting their political implications as he explains the challenges his patients may encounter.
The film doesn’t delve into questioning the humanity of its characters. For “GEN_” and its main character, the question of trans people’s humanity is already settled. Bini sees his role as providing comfort to those who may doubt this. He frequently creates a relaxed atmosphere using humor and friendly banter, which helps his patients feel comfortable, especially young trans men. However, with laws and political discussions continually changing, Bini feels his profession and the care he provides are at risk. This leads him to seek an apprentice in what seems to be a diminishing field.
In “GEN_”, the political threats to Bini’s work serve as a subtle context rather than a main focus. The film’s arguments are made clear through this backdrop. Bini’s patients have personal aspirations, worries, and desires that he empathically addresses. He consistently inquires about their relationships or support systems during tough times. Yet, neither Bini nor the movie gets overly emotional; they maintain a balanced and thoughtful tone throughout.
The movie presents itself in unique and captivating manners, interspersing moments of consultation with delightful, playful, and utterly engaging music composed by Cantautoma. It frequently switches between endearing and amusing, often being both at once. This versatility might be its most impressive trait. Interestingly, for a fleeting moment, it resembles a humorous take on a heist movie when Bini is confronted with a moral dilemma during a procedure, having to decide between what’s ethical and what’s technically legal.
Bini’s consultations dominate a significant portion of the film, and though each doesn’t run too long, there appear to be countless options to select from. The abundance of these consultations offers multiple entry points for grasping not just the problems Bini addresses – ranging from the intricacies of sperm donation to Italy’s rules on trans male pregnancy – but also the individuals involved in those issues. The wide array of human experiences shown serves a crucial cinematic purpose: By switching between cases that are specifically transgender and those that aren’t, while handling them with equal skill, “GEN_” essentially underlines, through its overall design, that trans healthcare is no different from regular healthcare, and should be treated accordingly.
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2025-01-27 17:16