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On this page: LOVE & RAGE: MUNROE BERGDORF | STANS | TORO

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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL | Last update 7.Jun.25

Love & Rage: Munroe Bergdorf
Review by Rich Cline | 4/5

dir Olivia Cappuccini
prd Sofia Ismail Martin, Andee Ryder
with Munroe Bergdorf, Reece King, Justin Girdler, Kim Butler, Jayden Smith, Jaz Terry, Violet Ri, Janna Fox, Riccardo Bramwell, Joey Morris, Callum Knowelden, Katharine Rose
release UK 10.Jun.25,
US 15.Jun.25
25/UK 1h22

Now streaming...

In recounting the life of the British model, author and activist, much of this documentary feels like the fairly standard journey of a trans woman. But Munroe Bergdorf's story has taken several unexpected turns. In this empowering film, she honestly speaks about her notoriously confrontational relationship with the media. While tracing dark situations unflinchingly, director Olivia Cappuccini adeptly captures this smart, articulate, fierce woman and her passion for justice.

As an 8-year-old boy, Munroe remembers not wanting to exist, surrounded by accepted bigotry around race and sexuality. After years of painful dysphoria, she finally found her community in London. As a trans model, she let her creativity loose, using her fame to campaign for human rights. But she was dropped by L'Oreal after speaking her mind online, and also sparked controversy when she was named a UN ambassador for women. Through all of this she held her ground, and has proven why it's essential to have a Black trans women in the public eye.

Skilfully shot in widescreen, the film inventively dramatises Munroe's childhood in extensive home-movie style re-creations. In interviews, Munroe speaks about the difference between her birth family and chosen family. Her parents declined to appear in this film, but her chosen brothers and sisters surround her on-screen. One key figure is her manager Justin, who saw her maintaining her dignity while being verbally attacked on TV and offered to help guide her career. Clips of those on-air attacks are shocking. And she speaks about how it felt to be reduced from being human, seen as an ideology that's acceptable to hate.

Even as society is taking backward steps at the moment, Munroe is unusually hopeful in her outlook, picking up the baton from the Black trans women who ignited the Stonewall uprising in 1969 New York. She refuses to be seen as the problem simply because she dares to raise an important issue. She would love to turn up for interviews without makeup or glamour, but she knows what's needed to make sure that people hear her. And this film captures both her vulnerability and power as a person on the public stage. So watching her go from strength to strength is a reason to cheer. And in the end, this is a reminder that sharing your story can make a big different in other peoples' lives.

themes, language 5.Jun.25

Stans
Review by Rich Cline | 4/5

dir-scr Steven Leckart
prd Marshall Mathers, Antoine Fuqua, Paul Rosenberg, Tony DiSanto, Stuart Parr
with Eminem, Dr Dre, Jimmy Iovine, LL Cool J, Ed Sheeran, Adam Sandler, Dido, Carson Daly, Anthony Bozza, Zolt, Kirpa, Marshall, Roman, Katie, Alex, Noah, Wonje, Nikki, James
release UK Jun.25 sxl
25/US Paramount

Now streaming...

Rather than tracing the artist's career or personal life, this documentary explores the interaction between Eminem and his most earnest fans, noting that the term "stan" was coined from his eponymous 2000 hit. This approach makes the film unusually intimate, highlighting how music connects into deeper issues. And because Eminem's music is so soul-baring, it has an unusual resonance that can silence critics who don't quite get it.

Fan interviews drive this film's narrative, tracing how Eminem's songs creatively express what is happening in his life. And this honesty has unusual resonance. These stans easily distinguish between his various voices, including provocative alter-ego Slim Shady, understanding that they are all aspects that reflect the real Marshall Mathers, including the one called Eminem. On-screen figures include key people from his life, such as producers Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine and fellow artist admirers like LL Cool J, Ed Sheeran and, rather surprisingly, Adam Sandler. But the focus is on superfans like colourful Frenchman Zolt.

Unusually, the film skips over quite a lot of private and professional details, and only features snippets of songs, including music videos and performance clips. Dream-like, beautifully shot dramatic recreations inventively fill in key biographical moments and fan memories. And there's also witty new footage of places around his Detroit hometown. It may seem odd that there are no details about his personal relationships, but that's not the point of this particular movie. Focussing on the topic of fandom, filmmaker Leckart keeps the tone unusually introspective, both with the fans and Eminem himself.

Indeed, what makes this worth a look is the way it delves so deeply into the emotional responses these people have had to the music over the years. They speak about how they identify with Eminem through open-handed lyrics that never pull a punch, meaningfully exploring enormous issues like fame, grief and addiction. Hearing him rap about his struggles gives his fans perspective on their own experiences. And in return, their responses encourage him to continue to speak out openly and unapologetically.

themes, language 3.Jun.25 WP

Toro
Review by Rich Cline | 4/5

dir-scr Rocco Di Mento
prd Friedemann Hottenbacher, Nadja Smith, Gregor Streiber
with Rocco Di Mento, Angelo Caruso, Rocco Di Mento Sr, Paola Berta, James Pazzi, Luigi La Bella, Roland Sander, Cecilia Caruso
release UK Jun.25 swl
25/Germany 1h33

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With this funny and warmly insightful autobiographical documentary, Italian filmmaker Rocco Di Mento takes a voyage of self-discovery relating to the picture of masculinity instilled in him as a child. The result is a complex, thought-provoking journey into manliness, unearthing some deeply personal themes that make the film universally resonant. Most intriguing is a depiction of machismo as something far more textured than we usually see on screen.

Living in Berlin, Rocco has just been left by yet another girlfriend, so he decides to chronicle his search for clues about why he's so unlucky in love. Returning to his hometown Salo in northern Italy, he hones in on the local idea of a "toro", manly men who confidently go through life. His childhood friends are all toros, most notably Angelo, who still lives at home and spends days pumping up his already beefy physique and practicing judo. But he's also working through his issues to pursue a relationship with his girlfriend Paola.

By contrast, Rocco is slight and nerdy, and has a hilariously self-deprecating sense of humour. He displays this in the film's voice-over narration, which has witty meta-touches as he comments on things on-screen. Along the way, he also begins to dig into his own issues, most notably the long-repressed feelings after his parents divorced when he was 13, which is when he abandoned judo himself. So he still feels awkwardness around his father Rocco Sr. Watching them try to confront this is fascinating, echoing the no-drama attitude of a toro.

The fascinating counterpoint here is Angelo, who continually reveals the sensitive guy underneath his macho image. He reflexively spouts homophobic and misogynistic remarks, but is actually caring and almost absurdly adorable. So Rocco's film becomes something very different than he intended it to be when he started the project, unpicking the nature of being a man while discovering a depth to his connections with both a friend and his father. And it finds resonance in ideas from judo, such as the importance of learning how to fall without hurting yourself.

themes, language 7.Jun.25 WP sxl

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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL