Pariah

Trailer.

Available Summary:

"A Brooklyn teenager juggles conflicting identities and risks friendship, heartbreak, and family in a desperate search for sexual expression." -IMDb.

Jack's Summary:

To be clear: This is not a trans male film! But I feel it's important to include here, because the protagonist's journey will likely reassure some gender-questioning visitors to this site that, yes, there are people like you in the world. If you're trying to figure out who you are, this film will give you a window into Masculine-of-Centre (MoC), Boi, Stud, and Aggressive (AG) expression, and you may find yourself there.

Alike (pronounced ah-lee-kay), the protagonist of Pariah, expresses herself masculinely when able to, and is intensely uncomfortable when made to wear feminine clothing. When forced to wear a skirt and a pink shirt, she insists, "this isn't me". Throughout the film she tries to figure out who she is, and tries to live authentically despite an intensely homophobic mother who ultimately becomes physically violent when Alike stands up for herself.

There are certainly many warnings which apply to this film. Another AG is sexually harassed by men as Alike's father watches without comment, Alike faces merciless bullying and eventual physical abuse from her mother, and a minor character struggles with internalised lesbophobia. Additionally, the phrase "he-she dyke" is used to attack a masculine-presenting lesbian. Regardless, this is a beautiful and profoundly important film that deserves more widespread appreciation, with incredible acting, a happy ending, and nuanced characters. You just need to prepare yourself before watching.

There are so many complex identities in this world. There are lesbians who identify as transmasculine. There are butches who affirm themselves through low doses of testosterone, and sometimes even top surgery (including a butch in this video, and many butches photographed by Butch Is Not A Dirty Word). There is so much beauty and nuance beyond being a binary trans man, which does happen to be my label and where I have found my pride. If you don't see yourself in films about trans men, don't give up! See if you recognise yourself in Pariah.