Release Year: 2010
Original title: Ik ben een meisje!
Synopsis:
The 2011 Dutch documentary Ik ben een meisje! ("I am a Girl!") by director Susan Koenen offers a heartfelt and often humorous portrayal of a 13-year-old transgender girl named Joppe, who is navigating the complexities of adolescence, gender identity, and her first crush. In this intimate portrait, the documentary touches on universal themes of self-discovery and the social dynamics of youth while highlighting the specific challenges faced by transgender individuals. Through Joppe’s story, the film explores how gender identity can shape one's experiences during childhood and adolescence, particularly when that identity does not align with societal expectations.
The documentary follows Joppe, a young girl who, despite being born biologically male, knows that she is a girl. She has the same teenage anxieties and desires as any other girl her age—she dreams of a relationship with Brian, a cute boy from her neighborhood. But there’s a catch: Brian doesn’t know that Joppe was born male. The film follows Joppe and her close circle of friends as they discuss how she might tell Brian the truth and whether or not he will accept her for who she truly is.
Joppe’s journey is not one of self-doubt or confusion about her gender identity. She’s clear about who she is and feels strongly that she was simply "born in the wrong body." Instead, the documentary focuses on her more immediate concerns: how to navigate friendships, relationships, and the awkwardness of first crushes while also confronting the reality of a society that does not always understand or accept trans identities. The ultimate question for Joppe, however, is not about her gender but whether or not she will ever get that date with Brian.
