A journey of self-discovery: ‘Really Happy Someone’ at TIFF
A new voice in cinema
J Stevens’s drama “Really Happy Someone” is one of the standout titles vying for distribution at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Premiering on Sunday night, the film features a talented cast including Breton Lalama, Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah, Xavier Lopez, and Ali Garrison.
The story of Z
The film’s narrative revolves around Z (Lalama), a rising musical theater star grappling with his gender identity before his transition. One year into taking testosterone, Z begins to feel at home in his body but struggles with the loss of control over his voice. Meanwhile, Z’s long-term partner, Danielle (Roberts-Abdullah), feels disconnected from the person she once loved. Unable to secure work due to his changing voice, Z takes up bartending, where his new boss, Santi (Lopez), encourages him to fight for his dreams. Z then starts working with a singing instructor, Shelly (Garrison), to learn how to use his new voice and perhaps even trust himself again.
A personal reflection
In a heartfelt statement, Stevens expressed the significance of the film’s world premiere at the festival. He emphasized the validation it brings to the years of hard work and the immense talent of the cast and crew. Stevens highlighted the importance of stories like Z’s, which contribute to the 2SLGBTQ+ canon and deserve to be showcased alongside the biggest films in the world. He shared his excitement about presenting Z’s journey to all audiences, especially those who can relate to Z’s struggles and joys, and feel represented and validated.
Behind the scenes
Lalama, who also serves as the film’s producer and co-writer, shared his personal journey of self-discovery while working on the film. He explained how embodying Z’s character allowed him to gain profound insights into his own identity and the kind of man he wanted to become. The experience helped him fine-tune his craft and make sense of the most challenging aspects of his personal transition, ultimately teaching him foundational lessons about himself.
The film’s production was marked by a gender-diverse and queer crew, which Stevens described as transformative. He noted that working in an environment where he didn’t have to constantly explain himself and his identity changed his perspective and made the future feel bright and possible.
A call for conversation
Lalama hopes that “Really Happy Someone” will spark meaningful conversations about FTM vocal transition, a topic that has only recently begun to be studied by medical and professional bodies. By shedding light on the nuances and realities of transness, the film aims to demystify the identity and reduce fear and hatred, which often stem from misunderstanding. Lalama believes that by making these experiences visible, trans people, whether closeted and struggling or out and thriving, can find a language of possibility for themselves and see their identities validated and reflected back at them.
A film to watch
“Really Happy Someone” is a UTA sales title, and its journey at the Toronto International Film Festival is just the beginning. The film’s powerful narrative and authentic representation of trans experiences make it a must-watch for cinema enthusiasts. To get a glimpse of this captivating story, you can watch the trailer for Really Happy Someone.
Final thoughts
“Really Happy Someone” is more than just a film; it’s a testament to the power of storytelling in fostering understanding and empathy. It’s a reminder that every voice, no matter how different, deserves to be heard and celebrated. As the film continues its journey, it holds the potential to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide, making a significant impact on the representation of trans stories in cinema.