"Transfixed follows the tumultuous life of Bo, a transgender prostitute in Brussels, caught in a web of familial trauma and a string of mysterious murders. Bo's estranged relationship with a renowned physician father unfolds alongside a series of violent deaths among transvestite and transsexual friends. As Bo reluctantly cooperates with authorities to testify against his father, suspicion looms, especially in the eyes of a weary-eyed magistrate. Amidst the chaos, Bo's obsessive and masochistic love for the abusive Johnny, a young thug, adds a layer of complexity. Director Francis Girod navigates the sexual underworld of Brussels, offering a thriller that blends crime, mystery, and unconventional relationships.
Transfixed,” directed by Francis Girod and originally titled “Mauvais Genres” upon its 2001 release in France, is a complex thriller set in the sexual underworld of Brussels. The film centers around Bo, a transgender prostitute portrayed by Robinson Stévenin with striking cheekbones and a sultry gaze. Bo’s troubled past comes to light as his father, a renowned physician, is arrested for child molestation, leading Bo to grapple with the authorities who once dismissed his reports of abuse.
The narrative unfolds with Bo being unwillingly thrust into cooperation with the same authorities seeking his testimony against his father. Simultaneously, a series of violent deaths among Bo’s transvestite and transsexual prostitute friends grips the narrative, casting a shadow of suspicion over Bo, especially in the eyes of the weary-eyed and raspy-voiced magistrate played by Richard Bohringer.
What adds a layer of complexity to Bo’s tumultuous life is his obsessive and masochistic love for Johnny, a young thug played by Stéphane Metzger. Despite Johnny’s public humiliation and abuse towards Bo, the latter remains infatuated, turning the verbal and physical attacks into perverse expressions of passion.
Francis Girod, known for his work in glossy melodramas, takes on the challenge of portraying the sexual underworld of Brussels. However, the review suggests that Girod may feel like a fish out of water in this setting, with the film having a more observational tone rather than immersing itself deeply into the subculture and its values. Despite this, Robinson Stévenin’s portrayal of Bo is commended, particularly his ability to capture attention in high heels during the lip-synching nightclub act where he impersonates Catherine Deneuve.
“Transfixed” provides a unique blend of crime, mystery, and an exploration of unconventional relationships. The film’s distant directorial approach may be a point of contention, but Stévenin’s compelling performance, combined with the intricate plot, makes it an intriguing watch for those interested in a thriller set against the backdrop of Brussels’ sexual subculture.
