Director: Simo Halinen
Running Time: 95 mins
Certificate: NR
Release Date: November 9th 2014 (Fringe! Screening)
You could be forgiven for thinking that the only type of film and TV that Scandinavian countries make are moody thrillers, but that’s solely because the more diverse cinema that comes from that area doesn’t get much of an international release. And on the evidence of Open Up To Me, that’s a shame.
Maarit (Leea Klemola) has transitioned from male to female and is now trying to find her new place in life, something not made easier by the fact that she’s now estranged from her former wife and daughter. She wants to help people and an unexpected opportunity arises when she almost accidentally poses as a therapist for teacher Sami (Peter Franzén), who’s in the midst of a marital crisis.
She quickly admits what she’s done, partly because she has feelings for Sami, which soon results in the two of them embarking on an affair. Maarit also gets a job as school counsellor, finding satisfaction from helping young people, but also having to face the fact that whenever there’s an issue many are going to be trying to find reasons why it’s about her being a transsexual. That’s particularly brought into focus after the death of a student.
There’s been a fair amount of talk recently about much of queer cinema becoming ‘post-gay’, meaning that while a few years ago most gay-themed films were solely about the character’s gayness, now more movies are emerging where it’s just an aspect of their personality. Open Up To Me could be described as ‘post-trans’. Although Maarit’s identity is crucial to her journey, here it’s presented as just one facet of her life and search for happiness.
Thankfully Maarit isn’t presented as a plaster saint. She is flawed and makes mistakes, but that brings an edge of authenticity to her journey. She is trying to find her place in the world as both as a woman and a human being, and due to that she often grabs onto things that seem like a good idea without properly thinking through the consequences.
It’s not a perfect movie, as some sections feel misplaced and the subplot involving a teen dying which makes the prejudiced authorities wonder if Maarit is somehow responsible, isn’t as well integrated into the rest of the film as it could be. However overall it’s an extremely well told and involving tale with interesting and nicely rounded characters. Some may be frustrated that they didn’t find a trans actress to play the lead role, but even so Leea Klemola does an extremely good job of showing a universal humanity and concern for identity that goes beyond solely gender, while never forgetting the particular journey her character is on.
Overall Verdict: An involving trip into the world of a Finnish trans woman that doesn’t sugar coat its character and instead presents them as real people trying to find themselves in a complex world.
Open Up To Me will be available in the UK soon exclusively through FilmDoo.
Reviewer: Tim Isaac
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