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The new Netflix film Girl has been praised by critics, honored at the Cannes Film Festival, and nominated for a Golden Globe. It also has found itself at the center of quite a few major controversies, putting its legacy and relevancy into question.
Girl is a Belgian movie about a transgender ballerina named Lara (Victor Polster) struggling to come of age in the hyper-competitive world of dance. Even though her father is supportive of her transition, she is undercut by bullying at school and fixated on her body. Because she tucks her genitals for dance rehearsal with tape, she gets an awful infection and eventually has to put off her sex reassignment surgery. This upsets Lara so much that she takes a scissor to her own penis, thus mutilating herself in the process.
So…what’s so controversial? You know, besides the grisly ending that is reframed as a triumph in the film? Well, there are three major issues critics and audiences have with the movie. Netflix has decided to start the film with a warning that “This film covers sensitive issues, and includes some sexual content, graphic nudity, and an act of self-harm. Viewer discretion is advised. Please visit Girlmovie.info for more information about this film.”
Here’s what you need to know about the controversies surrounding Girl before deciding if it’s worth jumping in to watch it.
There is Underage Nudity - That Netflix Originally Wanted Cut Out
Netflix is usually known for pushing the boundaries when it comes to nudity, but they were initially leery of a full frontal nude scene featuring then 15-year-old actor Victor Polster. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Girl’s director Lukas Dhont was upset when he learned that Netflix wanted to cut the scene from the film. However, after some conversations with Netflix, the scene was left back in. As Dhont told the press: “The version of Girl that will be shows on Netflix will be the same version which premiered in Cannes, and in theaters in Belgium and in other parts of the world.”
Which we suppose is a win for freedom of expression, but it also raises concerns about whether or not it’s appropriate for an underage actor’s fully nude body to be in a film.
Victor Polster is a Cisgender Male Playing a Transgender Female
In recent years, productions featuring transgender characters played by cisgender actors have come under scrutiny. The issue is that trans experiences should be portrayed by those who live through them. Furthermore, when a cisgender actor takes on a trans role, they are taking that opportunity from a transgender performer.
Girl is based loosely on the life of Nora Monsecour, and she took exception to these critiques, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “To argue that Lara’s experience as trans is not valid because Lukas is cis or because we have a cis lead actor offends me.”
About That Mutilation Scene…
Maybe the hardest scene for some to swallow is one of the last scenes in the film, wherein Lara self-mutilates with a pair of scissors. While Dhont takes care to frame Lara from behind, we still hear her anguish. In fact, by hiding the self-harm, our imaginations can run wild. Since the film ends on this note, it’s also possible to see Girl as indulging in what Matthew Rodriguez calls “trans trauma porn.”
Worse, though, depicting a trans girl’s self-mutilation sends out a potentially harmful message for young transgender members of the audience. As critic Danielle Solzman explains, “Not only is it awful to see this being depicted on screen, but every trans person knows that if they ever expect to have gender-confirmation surgery, you don’t do what Lara does in the movie. Quite frankly, it’s an irresponsible depiction.” [Note: Solzman’s piece does a really good job of tearing into Girl from a trans critic’s perspective, and is worth a full read.]
Of course, Netflix has its own resources available at Girlmovie.info, but it might behoove you to read a wide range of perspectives on the film before or after watching it yourself.
