Zen in the Ice Rift
Teenage genderqueer hockey star Zen (Eleonora Conti) is constantly on the defensive in their rural Italian Alpine town. Bullied by the boys at their school and mocked by the girls, they are a mouthy outcast. But when schoolmate Vanessa (Susanna Acchiardi) has an unsatisfying sexual experience with her boyfriend, she runs away from town, seeking refuge in Zen's family's cabin. Obstinate at first, Zen cautiously begins to warm up to Vanessa. The film is gorgeously shot, high up in the Alps. Even though the ending is a bit unsatisfying, it's worth it just for Conti's explosive and vulnerable performance.
by Jas Keimig