0German version here
Berlinale, and Generation in particular, have been a safe space for queer films for years, and they get the recognition they deserve here. At the same time, the Generation program is also known for presenting many films that are rather heavy on the stomach, that illuminate the ugly sides of this world, give them a name, and all the while show no light at the end of the tunnel. Fortunately, Mutt by Vuk Lungulov-Klotz does not really belong to the latter.
Feña (Lío Mehiel) has been outed as a trans man for over a year and has already gone through much of his transition. He finally feels comfortable in his body, can be himself, and is surrounded by loving people who accept and love him exactly as he is. But it was and is not always easy. Within 24 hours, Feña meets his ex-boyfriend John (Cole Doman), his younger sister Zoe (MiMi Ryder) and his father Pablo (Alejandro Goic), all of whom he hasn't seen since the beginning of his transition and thought he had lost forever.
Although Mutt deals with far from simple themes and follows many conflicts, Lungulov-Klotz manages to focus mainly on moments of trans joy. It is hope that makes Mutt so radiant and one of my favorites this year. Although, unfortunately, things will never really be easy for a trans* person in today's society, one of the most difficult parts of Feña's life is now behind him. He is finally moving forward. Overcoming the past and building a new life that is true to his identity.
Lungulov-Klotz has had enough of films that only show the difficulties of being trans*. He wants to take away the fear of coming out for other trans* people and show hope, as he was not able to experience before his own transition. At the same time, he does not gloss over reality. It becomes clear that Feña has been through hard times and is far from having arrived. There are many moments that happen to (or are inflicted on) trans* people every day as depicted in Mutt, and during filming some situations were triggering for Lío Mehiel, as it had already happened to him in such or similar ways. But the cast and crew manage to pull off an impressive balancing act between harsh reality and realistic optimism with Mutt.
I would recommend Mutt to any person, whether they have dealt with being trans* or not. Whether they have preconceived notions about it, of whatever nature, or are possibly trans* themselves. Mutt shows the humanity of the protagonists - trans or cis - and shows that in the end we are all just people who want to be seen. And it is in our own hands to give each other this dignity.
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