Boys Don't Cry made me cry....
< Although I knew the story of Brandon (Teena) from previous courses, I wasn't prepared for how powerful the story would be visually through film. The film conveyed a new dimension of the story to me, and I was completely emotionally caught up in it. One thing that really stood out for me throughout the film was the struggle that Brandon went through and internalized. The scene depicting him having to buy feminine products was heart wrenching, I can't imagine what it would feel like to have my mind telling me I am one gender, and my body telling/showing me that I am another. The fear associated with being a transgendered person in society definitely shone through in the film as well. Having to hide the remnants of tampons, not appearing in court, and not wanting to tell Lana of his biological identity were just a few ways in which this was shown visually. There was a constant notion that at any moment the life that he knew could be shattered, and the people that he loved could become the people who could hurt him the most. Additionally shown was that Brandon’s fears were not out of cowardice...they were out of protection and self-preservation. Boys Don't Cry is a tribute to beautiful people that live behind their fear of being discovered by others who don't understand (and won't give acceptance and understanding a chance). It shares the story of someone strong enough to be the person that their heart tells them to be, and in the process finds a love that is gender-blind. Unfortunately, everyone in the world isn't as strong as people like Brandon were, and people hate out of fear. People hate because they don't understand and are scared. Gender is a performance done in society, and Brandon chose the gender that he associated with. If people could understand that gender is an option - and by breaking away from the norm you are assigned to is not deviant but amazing and courageous, then maybe people like Brandon would still be in the world today...making it a better place to be. >