AS the first Afrikaans film to portray a transgender character, ‘Ander’ (2020) tells the tenderly intimate tale of finding peace and a sense of belonging through living authentically.
The film is based on a play by South African writer, director, educator and theatre maker Caitlin Wiggill, titled ‘God is a Woman’.
“Originally, I wanted to write a story about womanhood in all of its diversity,” says Wiggill.
“Dre’s character was created with love for trans people who deserve to see themselves portrayed positively. Trans representation matters, and cisgender people need to learn about trans-ness. It’s simply time for these stories.”
The beautiful 50-minute film intersects themes of personal identity, family, sexuality, gender and religion, and stars relative newcomer Caleb Felix in the main role, supported by strong, well-known South African actresses Vinette Ebrahim and Lee-Ann van Rooi.
Beginning with vignettes of a an action figure prominently displayed alongside photos of a smiling young schoolboy holding a rugby ball, ‘Ander’ zooms in on what looks like a mother pinning a wedding dress on her daughter.
The spell is almost instantly broken when she calls him “Boeta”, and the viewer is immediately drawn into this close-knit family’s story.
Andre is merely fitting on the dress because he is of similar size to the bride-to-be, but encouraged by his loving grandmother, he revels in the feeling of beauty the dress brings him – much to his mother’s disaproval as the dress unintentionally becomes a powerful symbol of all that Andre is busy becoming.
When he shows a photo of himself in it to his best friend Amanda, she immediately counters that he looks so stunning he should wear dresses more often.
“I didn’t know I was allowed to,” he says quietly.
Bolstered by a beautiful and confident transgender woman who comes into the fashion boutique where they work, Andre slowly begins to piece together a vision of what his future could be.
His relationship with God, and prayers throughout the film – far from being filled with condemnation and guilt – are simply honest discussions with an all-loving creator.
This is immediately at odds with all the Bible-bashers out there who purport to know who and what God loves, and who He would punish for the sin of simply being.
“Lord,” he says while lying in the bath, “I’m worried about my mom. I should ask you to change me, but I’m going to be selfish and ask that you change everybody else.”
“Yance Ford best put it when he said: ‘I cannot be in the world until I see that I am in the world’,” said ‘Ander’ director Baz Bailey.
“I want the film to reflect back to the kid sitting at home who they are, so they understand and love themselves. I want to validate them and let them know that black trans people exist, and most importantly, that they’re deeply loved.”
Opening up to Amanda, Andre explains that he’s not gay and also not straight.
Without having to explain himself, Amanda, as truly good friends sometimes do, instinctively understands, simply asking what he’d like to be called.
“Dre,” he says.
Soon Amanda gives him a pretty pale-pink jersey, which inadvertently causes all his mother’s buried fears and doubts to bubble over. In the ensuring aftermath Dre also confesses to his ouma that he’s a woman.
“I know. I know,” she cries. “You don’t ever need to feel ashamed. You will change the world. And I will be right next to you.”
With the support of these two women in her life, Dre finally works up the courage to confront her mother with the truth. Wearing men’s clothing to make others feel more comfortable will not change anything.
“Are you gay?” she asks.
“I’m not gay, Mommy. Because I am not a man. I’m a woman. Trapped in a man’s body.”
“What will you do?” she screams. “Cut off your penis?”
“Google transgender, Mommy,” he says. “It’s the least you can do.”
I connected deeply with Van Rooi’s portrayal of a loving mother struggling to come to terms with the fact that her son was transforming into her daughter.
The veteran actress’ performance was raw and powerful as she mourned all the expectations and hopes she’d nursed for her child over the years.
Felix’s performance was pure and dignified. It was evident that he didn’t take the task lightly and earned praise from Wiggill, who described it as subtle and honest.
