Film review: Songs For Alexis

I WAS amazed by the emotional beauty of this documentary.

I just loved the ordinariness of the first half of the film. It may come across as fairly mundane but I found it very fascinating.

The story focuses on Ryan Cassata, an 18-year-old trans male from New York. We follow his day-to-day life as begins his journey to be a singer/songwriter.

Up until the half-way point there appears to be very few problems in Ryan’s life. The only major conflicts are common relationship issues that arise with his girlfriend Alexis. It is not until later in the film that Ryan being trans* becomes an a more prominent topic in the story.

The relationships in the film are also another aspect to its beauty, such as the relationship that Ryan has with Alexis — which is just so lovely to watch. I think many fictional romantic films could learn a few lessons from director Elvira Lind and how their love is depicted. It just radiates out of the screen. Then there is Ryan’s relationship with his mother, Francine. It is through her that we find out more about Ryan’s transition and how that impacted their lives. Francine gives Ryan so much unconditional love and support that you just wish everyone had someone like her in their lives.

Ryan is also an excellent singer and songwriter. For me, the highlight of the film was when he travelled to San Francisco to perform on the main stage at Pride. As someone who has been given the same honour, it was a very emotional moment and makes you so proud.

Ryan is such an amazing young man and this glimpse into his life is a truly wonderful thing. I could not help but get emotional on many occasions as we follow him around.

Playing with Songs For Alexis at the Queer Screen Film Fest is an Australian short film MyMy, which is about a young man who buys a cyborg kit and uses it to make a twin of himself. The film is very well made, but uses performance art which is not something that appeals to me personally.

Songs for Alexis is showing in Sydney as part of the annual Queer Screen Film Festival, September 17–21. For details and tickets, visit queerscreen.org.au

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