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Trans Identity Amidst War: Tokyo Film Fest Winner
2 Nov
Summary
- German film 'I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming' earned Tokyo's Ethical Film Award.
- The film focuses on a trans man's struggle in Ukraine before the invasion.
- Jury cited the film's powerful depiction of identity during wartime.
German director Isabelle Stever's film, "I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming," has secured the Tokyo International Film Festival's Ethical Film Award. This award, established in 2023, recognizes films addressing critical issues like the environment, poverty, and discrimination.
The winning film, a Germany-Ukraine co-production, is set in Kyiv in late 2021, preceding Russia's full-scale invasion. It follows Oleh, a trans man, whose attempt to leave Ukraine is thwarted by identification discrepancies. He remains with his partner, Olya, as they navigate the escalating conflict and fight to preserve their relationship and identities.
The jury, led by actor Isomura Hayato, lauded the film for its sensitive portrayal of gender identity within the context of the Russia-Ukraine war. They highlighted its exploration of how individuals cope when their identities and values are challenged by extreme circumstances, hoping it would inspire reflection among audiences.
Stever, accepting the award remotely, emphasized that 'queer' signifies more than LGBTQ+ identity, representing anything outside the normalized. She connected this to autocratic regimes and the ongoing Ukrainian fight for the freedom to simply 'breathe.' The festival will send Stever a certificate and a JPY200,000 prize.
