Girl

Transgender ballerina struggles with self-acceptance and identity.

Watch on Netflix
About Girl

Released: 2018

Platform: Netflix

Rating: R

Run time: 1h 45m

Cast
Katelijne Damen, Oliver Bodart, Magali Elali, Tijmen Govaerts, Victor Polster, Chris Thys, Angelo Tijssens, Valentijn Dhaenens, Alice de Broqueville, Arieh Worthalter

About Girl

Explore

About

"Girl" is a critically acclaimed international drama film released in 2018. It is directed by Lukas Dhont and stars actor Victor Polster in the lead role. The film follows the story of a 15-year-old transgender girl named Lara, who dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer. As she undergoes hormone replacement therapy and faces the challenges of her transitioning, Lara must also cope with the rigid demands and expectations of the dance world.

The movie explores themes of identity, self-discovery, acceptance, and the pursuit of dreams. It sheds light on the struggles faced by transgender individuals and the immense strength required to navigate both personal and societal obstacles.

Making / Production

"Girl" was produced in Belgium and is primarily in the Dutch language. Lukas Dhont, the director, spent several years researching and meeting transgender individuals to ensure an authentic representation of their experiences. The film's screenplay was co-written by Lukas Dhont and Angelo Tijssens.

The cinematography of the film was done by Frank van den Eeden, who beautifully captures the emotional journey of the protagonist through visually striking frames. The movie's editing was done by Alain Dessauvage.

Actors

  • Victor Polster as Lara - Victor Polster delivers an outstanding performance as Lara, bringing depth and vulnerability to the character. He effectively portrays the internal struggle and determination of a young transgender girl.
  • Arieh Worthalter as Mathias - Arieh Worthalter portrays Mathias, Lara's supportive father, who tries his best to understand and support his daughter's journey.
  • Katelijne Damen as Dr. Naert - Katelijne Damen plays the role of Dr. Naert, Lara's doctor who guides her through hormone replacement therapy and provides emotional support.
  • Olivier Bodart as Milo - Olivier Bodart plays Milo, Lara's supportive younger brother who remains by her side throughout her journey.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

  • "Girl" premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim and won the Caméra d'Or award for Best First Feature Film.
  • The film is inspired by the true story of Nora Monsecour, a transgender dancer from Belgium.
  • Victor Polster, who plays the lead role of Lara, underwent intense dance training to prepare for the film, as he had no previous experience in ballet.

Awards

"Girl" received several awards and nominations, including:

  • Caméra d'Or for Best First Feature Film at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival
  • Queer Palm at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival
  • Lumière Award for Best Screenplay at the 2019 Lumière Awards
  • Magritte Award for Best Flemish Film at the 2019 Magritte Awards

Quotes

  • "I just wanna be a girl." - Lara
  • "She's a girl, doctor. Can't you see?" - Mathias
  • "You're a girl, Lara. Like other girls." - Lara's friend

Music

The music for "Girl" was composed by Valentin Hadjadj. The film's score enhances the emotional impact of various scenes and complements the themes of the story.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of "Girl" features a collection of songs carefully selected to reflect the different moods and moments within the film. Some notable tracks include:

  • "Dancing on My Own" by Robyn
  • "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive
  • "Firestarter" by The Prodigy
  • "Olé Olé Olé (The Name of the Game)" by The Fans