2023 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
In Jordan it’s customary to bathe the deceased before their burial. A mother (Shafeqa Al-Tal) and father (Kamel El Basha), however, are tasked with being the ones in charge of their son’s washing and shrouding–because he’s transgender. As they attempt to find someone to prepare their son’s body, they find that, while they accept him, the world is not so understanding. Our Males and Females explores how the Middle East views transgender individuals, and the toll that it takes on just about everyone.
I’m beating a dead horse, trust me, I know. I’m tired of diversity being shoved down my throat–I’m tired of, at every turn, being reminded that people of color, those with disabilities, and individuals that are part of the LGBTQ+ community are important. This is common knowledge! I recently had a conversation about the fact that shoving these things in the faces of viewers becomes counterproductive–and it’s becoming abundantly clear that Hollywood (and pop culture in general) is making it a point to say “fuck that,” and doing it anyway. Our Males and Females seems to understand this, and they present a sound narrative, effectively led by diversity, in a way that's entertaining and far from offputting. The film never forces the opinions of the filmmakers on viewers, and those viewers are able to appreciate all that is being said and done as a result.
The narrative is the most important aspect of Our Males and Females–it’s not the cinematography or the acting, but rather the writing that allows this film to come to life in a way that viewers everywhere can understand and appreciate. It’s a risky film–there’s no doubt about that–and I think that Writers Ahmad Alyaseer and Rana Alyaseer know that they have to essentially walk on eggshells in order for their film to be successful. They find a brilliant balance with this narrative–being both progressive and conservative throughout the duration of the film. Our Males and Females ends up being inviting, it entices viewers because it allows viewers to form their own opinions, rather than being told to think one way. They are able to see that the point of the film is that those who consider themselves part of the LGBTQ+ community are loved, understood, and appreciated, regardless of what some people might think.
The Alyaseers hit the nail on the head with their script, and it’s clear that they understand how to reach viewers in a clean-cut and non-divisive way. Throughout Our Males and Females, as the story becomes more clear, Al-Tal and El Basha do such a wonderful job of bringing emotion to the table. I said that the acting wasn’t the most important part of Our Males and Females, and I stand by that–but it’s still important, and it still plays a pivotal role in how viewers receive that narrative. These two are brilliant, harnessing a series of emotions, and allowing all that the Alyaseers had hoped for to come to life. They have a beautiful chemistry, they wear their emotions on their sleeves, and they support this story every step of the way.
Films that focus on diversity worry me–not because I don’t appreciate them, but because I’m afraid that filmmakers will sacrifice the film just to be progressive. Our Males and Females perfectly represents diversity without going over the top, without pissing off viewers, and without hindering the narrative at any point. This is a wonderful, gut-wrenching film that hits its mark every step of the way. The Alyaseers are wonderful, constructing a brilliant narrative, enticing viewers, and thoroughly entertaining those viewers throughout. Our Males and Females should be the blueprint for films tackling diversity–and this team should be proud of what they accomplish.
Directed by Ahmad Alyaseer.
Written by Ahmad Alyaseer & Rana Alyaseer.
Starring Kamel El Basha, Shafeqa Al-Tal, Mutaz Al-Labadi, Sana’ Saleh, & Tetiana Beras.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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