This very compelling documentary from two young filmmakers Lexie Bean and Logan Rozos unwittingly serves as a powerful wake-up call, particularly for gay men (like this writer) who think they are totally in sync with all sectors of the queer community’s lexicon.  Before it starts telling the life stories of two young trans men who took their own lives, we are hit squarely full one with the brutal fact that over 50% of transgender boys in the US have attempted suicide. 

The sheer magnitude of this takes time to sink in, but it does do so very firmly, by the end of the film, when  Lexie and Logan have told the stories of  Blake Brockington and Kyler Prescott, who died by suicide around the same time that both of the filmmakers considered taking their own lives.

It’s hard to put one’s finger on it, but as much as we learn about the intolerable pressures that Blake and Kyler were under from every single source in their life,  just like all transitioning kids, somehow we end up at the end of the film sensing love, joy, and even hope.  We realize, too, that we need to convert our own rage at this situation into understanding how to help combat the sheer hatred heaped upon this community, where gender dysphoria is just used politically as an easy target and distraction from global problems. 

Lexie and Logan have so beautifully highlighted the facts in such a calm and measured manner and have so eloquently demonstrated that we should not be standing idly on the sidelines.  Especially those of us who are part of the same queer community that these kids belong too 

We reviewed this excellent doc at BFI FLare in London, but it had already won two major Awards at the Berlinale. Hopefully, it will continue to do the Film Festival Circuit. PLEASE LOOK OUT FOR IT.