Sauna

Sexual orientation and gender identity, although both are part of the **** community, refer to two different experiences, two different ways in which a person can identify themselves. It is precisely these experiences that set Johan and William apart. Johan is gay. He is active in the scene and moved from the small town of Odense to Copenhagen, the big city, to live out his sexuality. Yet he seems somehow lost in this big-city life. He appears downright disoriented and doesn’t really know what to do with his life.William, on the other hand, is studying literature and has a clear idea of what he wants to do with his life. His transition is his top priority for now. He has found acceptance from his parents and can now be the person he has always been deep down. The character of William highlights the hurdles of being trans: hormones, surgery, discrimination. William goes through all these experiences as a trans man. He finds the waiting lists and the time it takes to receive a diagnosis far too long. Instead, his friends help him out and share their hormones with him – something very common in the trans community. This community sticks together. At the same time, unlike other trans people, he is fortunate that his parents are paying for his surgery. William simply wants to be seen and treated as a gay man, just like Johan.However, when he visits the gay sauna where Johan works, he experiences discrimination. The older men in charge of the sauna there do not recognise him as a woman and ban him from the premises. Johan had never had to go through this before. Nevertheless, sparks fly between the two of them and they become a couple. This does nothing to improve Johan’s life. His sense of disorientation seems to be at a standstill and he keeps getting himself into trouble. He also excludes himself from William’s circle of friends.Overall, the direction by the Danish filmmaker Mathias Broe comes across as somewhat lacklustre. The characters are defined almost entirely by their sexuality and identity. Furthermore, the portrayals of William and Johan lack depth. It is particularly difficult to understand certain actions taken by Johan, as the characterisation is a complete failure, especially in his case.