Matarrese’s GEN_ offers a thought-provoking look at the courage of those for whom gender-affirming surgeries and IVF have become vital lifelines. However, it falls short of delivering a truly engaging cinematic experience.
“Our aim is to bring you back into harmony with your body.” This is the promise Dr. Maurizio Bini makes to his patients and the mission proudly upheld by this seasoned and compassionate professor nearing retirement. In Milan, Dr. Bini and his team perform gender-affirming surgeries and in vitro fertilization at Italy’s only public hospital authorized to carry out these procedures. Within the walls of Niguarda Hospital, a place beset by constant renovations and seeming like a fragile refuge threatened by external forces, patients file into Dr. Bini’s office—and into the lens of Gianluca Matarrese’s camera. Matarrese’s GEN_ premieres at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Documentary Competition.
People from all walks of life arrive at Dr. Bini’s office, bringing with them their last hopes for a life in a body that will no longer cause them pain. They seek alignment with their gender identity or fulfillment of their dreams of parenthood through IVF. The patients vary in age, gender identity, and background, yet they all share a visceral, often life-altering need.
Living with gender dysphoria or seeking medical assistance for procreation are, in truth, battles that demand immense courage. The courage to break taboos, challenge social norms, and rise above the judgment of others, often including one’s own loved ones.
This becomes clear as we witness Dr. Bini’s interactions with his patients—empathetic, insightful, and unerringly articulate. The breadth of situations presented highlights the profound struggles of those for whom life has become unbearable. Center to the film is the unwavering compassion of Dr. Bini and his determination to find the best solution for each individual—a commitment all the more striking when considered against the backdrop of the sociopolitical climate in Italy, shaped by Giorgia Meloni’s government. Dr. Bini is, above all, a gifted pedagogue, taking the time to explain and empower his patients with clarity and care.
However, while the film, co-written by Donatella Della Ratta, offers deep, moving and poignant testimonies, it suffers from a lack of cinematic ambition. The constant shot-reverse shot exchanges between Dr. Bini and his patients get repetitive early on, and the few interludes of cutaway shots feel artificial. The camera feels heavy and uninspired.
What I find problematic is the uneasy sense of voyeurism induced by the filming approach, unintentionally created by the camera, hidden behind blurred objects in the foreground. While this protects the patients’ privacy, it also fosters a sense of intrusion. Vulnerable moments are briefly presented before the camera abruptly shifts to the next patient, often leaving viewers feeling like unwelcome observers.
Beyond providing an unmediated observational experience, the feature length film struggles to affirm its message and point of view. Furthermore, the film’s dual focus—transgender healthcare and IVF—feels uneven, favoring the former and leaving the rationale for combining these distinct themes underexplored, aside from their shared reliance on medical intervention to restore meaning to the patients’ lives.
Ultimately, despite being a verbose film with limited cinematic appeal, GEN_ succeeds in shedding light on stories often overlooked in our societies. It encourages vital, informed reflection and allows audiences to connect—however briefly—with those who continue to face discrimination and prejudice. Despite its flaws, the film offers a platform for courageous individuals to share their experiences and provides viewers with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of these pressing issues. The film also celebrates Dr. Bini’s approach, which rises above prejudice and taboo, driven solely by the goal of alleviating human suffering.
The Film Fest Report team is an accredited media at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Expect substantial coverage from Park City, Utah, as the festival unfolds from January 23 to February 2, 2025.
