MovieTalk at the American Library in Karlsruhe

Film of the month:
[?]*
(Directed by Kimberly Peirce, 1999; 1h 59 m; FSK: ab 16)

Based on real events: Brandon Teena, a young transgender man, moved from his hometown in rural Nebraska to another small town to live his authentic self. There he quickly made friends, started dating—and was raped and murdered by two of his new acquaintances. Director Kimberly Peirce spent five years researching Brandon’s life and death and almost gave up on the film because it was so difficult to find an actor who could portray him. Starring Hillary Swank, Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard and Brendan Sexton III. Hillary Swank received an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award and many other accolades for her performance. Caution: This movie may be triggering to some viewers.

“Despite being one of the first major films to grapple with being transgender in America, [?]* is neither self-congratulatory, heavy-handed, nor exploitative.”
— Alyssa Bereznak, The Ringer

“In [?]*, nothing is simple, certainly nothing in a world of limited scope and vision that has no room for individuality, that scrapes the souls of its people down to narrowly defined, bruised shadows.”
— David Steinberg, Transgender Tapestry

“[?]* is a devastating critique of the hatred, intolerance, and bravado that lead to violence. It warns us that the ‘other’ is always in jeopardy in contemporary society.”
— Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality & Practice

“[?]* is a fable about the fragility of love and freedom; it says that the most precious thing about both is that they can end in a heartbeat.”
— Rob Gonsalves, Rob’s Movie Vault

Shown in English. Admission is free.

American Library in Karlsruhe
Kanalweg 52, 76149 Karlsruhe, Tel.: 0721-72752

*We aren't legally allowed to advertise the films we show by name, but we may describe them!