Bare-chested

Short drama based on a true story about Francesco, a 19-year-old trans guy who embarks on a transitioning process in old-fashioned and narrow-minded Sicily. His on-screen journey starts with his decision to begin hormonal therapy and the conflict with his parents, who then get over their fear for their child and decide to support him. We witness him go through his struggle to go out in the real world, because the “outside” is where he’s subject to negative encounters, and step out of his comfort zone to actively go after what he wants. In the second half of the film, Francesco has already been taking testosterone for a few months and the physical changes are more visible and audible. After these changes, he’s ready and legally allowed to attend his first court hearing needed to obtain a new ID. This first hearing doesn’t go well, but before the ending scene, Francesco’s birthday party, we find out there will be a second one that will likely go better. Bare-chested doesn’t have a definite happy ending, but a hopeful one that leaves us with the feeling that Francesco will, in the end, get what he wants.