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Call Me Helen

Name: Call Me Helen
Director: Gregor Schnitzler
Released: 2015
Duration: 89 min

2015

Director

Gregor Schnitzler

Runtime

89 minutes

Average Rating

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Synopsis

Is. This. My. Son? No matter how often Tobias Wilke poses this question, there's always only one answer: Yes! Tobias, can't believe his eyes when he comes to the airport to pick up his 17-year-old son Finn – and learns that Finn is now calling herself Helen and wearing girls' clothes. Finn/Helen reveals that she's always was a girl, and that she used her year abroad in San Francisco to pass the "everyday life" test. This is required by law for everyone preparing for the sex reassignment surgery they will undergo upon reaching majority. Reactions from Helen's friends, acquaintances and schoolmates cover the entire gamut from derision to solidarity. Especially Helen's father, a well-known chef, finds it difficult to accept a situation he cannot understand. But Helen nearly always finds the right words - and humor - to counterbalance the ignorance and jeers of those around her. It is the beginning of a long, winding road towards the sexual identity she is convinced is hers.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.1/10

Good

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Excellent

Gender Representation

Excellent

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

Disability Representation

Minimal

Strengths

Strong, central focus on transgender identity and the nuances of gender transition.
Effective use of the protagonist's agency to challenge traditional patriarchal authority.
Constructive depiction of peer solidarity amidst social friction.

Areas for Improvement

Lack of racial and ethnic diversity within the primary character arcs.
Narrow focus on a localized Western European social setting.

AI Analysis

Call Me Helen is a character-driven drama that places a marginalized identity at the heart of the cinematic experience. By centering the plot on a transgender teenager's journey, the film moves beyond surface-level inclusion to examine the complexities of gender identity and social friction. The film excels at using the protagonist's agency to critique the surrounding social landscape. It effectively uses humor and emotional intelligence to dismantle ignorance and navigate patriarchal expectations. However, the film's impact is limited by a lack of racial diversity. The narrative remains confined to a specific Western European cultural framework, missing opportunities for broader intersectional representation.

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