At Locarno Film Festival, films explore death and identity through assisted suicide and trans stories

The Locarno Film Festival is showcasing films that delve into profound themes of mortality and the human body, with two international competition entries focusing on assisted suicide and trans identity. Denis Côté's "Violence du corps de l'autre" (The Man of the Other Body) presents the story of Mira, a woman living on society's fringes who assists individuals seeking to end their lives with dignity. The film explores the complex ethical landscape surrounding end-of-life choices.

In contrast, Isabelle Stever's "I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming" offers a sensitive portrayal of a queer couple grappling with a moral quandary. Their lives become complicated when Oleh, a young Ukrainian transgender man who has legally transitioned, faces conscription into the military following Russia's invasion of his country. The film intertwines intimate personal struggles with the broader geopolitical conflict.

Both films, while distinct in their narrative approach, confront difficult questions about life, death, and identity. "Violence du corps de l'autre" examines the desire for control over one's final moments, while "I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming" highlights the intersection of personal identity, relationships, and the devastating impact of war. The festival's selection brings these challenging subjects to the forefront, prompting reflection on deeply human experiences.

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Dans I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming, l'Allemande Isabelle Stever met en scène un couple queer confronté à une question morale lorsqu'Oleh, un jeune homme trans ukrainien ayant officiellement changé de sexe, va être appelé au front suite à l'invasion de son pays par la Ru