Tomboy. Dir. Céline Sciamma. Wolfe Video, 2011. Kanopy 82 minutes.
For plot summary and other details: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1847731/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_lk1
Language: French
Subtitles: English
Setting: 2010s, France
Remarks: “Ça ne me dérange pas que tu joues au garçon, mais on ne peut pas mentir.” That line (roughly paraphrased) allowed me to understand the mom. Before, when she put Laure/Mikaël in a dress, I saw her trying to humiliate her daughter. Once the mom pointed out that the lie (pretending to be a different person) was the problem, not the gender identity, I realized that the family loves Laure and wants her to be assured in that name. Surely, being tomboy Laure in private and in social spaces is easier than switching between Mikaël and Laure. The fact that she adopted a second persona, despite the support she receives at home, underscores that kids are sensitive to “norms” and seek belonging. That’s nothing new.
Keywords: LGBTQ, youth, socialization, constructing gender, friend/family love
Reflecting on this film during Pride month, I am reminded of female artists and writers who have chosen different names for themselves, thereby adopting a persona to pursue their creative careers. A few examples include Colette, Claude Cahun (and her partner Marcel Moore), and of course George Sand.