MIFF 2023 Film Review - Mutt
Images courtesy of Common State.
Mutt is the 24-hour chaotic day-in-the-life drama of Feña (Lío Mehiel), a Chilean-American transgender guy, who encounters three ghosts from his past. Director and writer Vuk Lungulov-Klotz draws from his own identity as a Chilean-Serbian and trans man, sharing traits with Feña's character. Lungulov-Klotz’s debut feature film Mutt made its premiere at the Sundance 2023 Film Festival in January of this year.
In Mutt, Feña is desperate to prove to his dad that he is thriving in his new life after being kicked out of home by his transphobic mother. He is determined to prove this by picking his dad up from the airport... if he can find someone’s car to borrow. The night before, Feña had run into his ex at a bar. Just when his day couldn't go any more wrong, Feña’s teenage sister, who he hasn't spoken to in a year, shows up unannounced at his work, adding to his burdens. With a new name and body, Feña attempts to mend these neglected relationships. Try as he might, not every relationship can be revived as not everyone has changed for the better.
Feña snaps back at the discrimination he experiences from others for his Queer and Latino identities. After talking to his father on the phone, a passerby on the street comments “Nice Spanglish”, which Feña sarcastically deflects with “Can I help you?”. Feña also suffers discrimination from the people close to him. He is ridiculed by his ex for the “lesbian phase” he had in the lead-up to his transition. Feña fights back against stereotypical archetypes of queer people with a prickly attitude. He is fiercely defensive of his identity, telling his father Pablo (Alejandro Goic) to “Just fuck off” when he probes Feña about being trans.
“Being a man is hard work. (…) Why did you pick this life?”
Pablo asks of Feña.
Lungulov-Klotz raises a key point about trans identities not being a choice, and the importance of gender-affirming care through the interactions Feña has with the people in his life: “Tired of people telling [him] (…) it’s a fucking choice [he is] making”, Feña maintains an unashamed attitude, affirming that he “[doesn’t] need a dick” to be a “full man”. Feña reflects that he is “happier" since his transition.
Lío Mehiel was the recipient of Sundance’s U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting for their lead performance in Mutt. Mehiel’s performance as Feña is charismatic, authentic, and moving. Mehiel is immensely vulnerable in this role, showing their top-surgery scars on screen. Together, Lungulov-Klotz and Mehiel embed their own experiences of transness into the character of Feña.
Mutt is an important film in the representation of queer and trans people on-screen and behind the camera. Lungulov-Klotz provides an insightful look into the difficulties trans people face post-transition as they are emerging as their true selves for the first time. Authentic trans storytelling is important, and this film certainly delivers! Mutt is a MIFF must-see for trans people and allies alike.
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Mutt screened as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival, running in metro cinemas August 3-20 and online August 18-27.
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