Tuesday 18 July 2017

Feminisation as Abuse. A look at 'The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things'

When Feminisation Becomes Abuse.


The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things 2004 Co written and directed by Asia Argento, based upon the book of the same title by the female author JT LeRoy. Starring: Asia Argento, Peter Fonda, Wynona Ryder, Marilyn Manson and Jimmy Bennett. This is not a transgender movie but does feature a hugely controversial scene of male to female feminisation, by the mother of her young son. The photo (left) shows not a mother with her daughter but her son. This image alone caused many problems when the film was released on DVD in the UK. This artwork was originally used as the DVD cover, causing the distributers to pull the DVD back from distribution. A more generic cover which did not feature the feminized son was then used.

The film when initially released in 2005 the DVD was given an 18 certificate by the BBFC, today the same film presented as uncut only receives a 15 certificate by the BBFC. The films main theme is abuse, and the tattered relationship between mother and son. 


The sequence where the mother feminizes her son appears to be the only time in the film when she shows him some form of genuine love. The boy feels acceptance and love from his mother by becoming a girl. This is very short lived as this then leeds to another disturbing sequence which I won't outline here.



On the whole this is not a nice film and is very depressing and harrowing to watch. There is no-one to admire in the film and the poor boy goes from one form of abuse to another. It's a well done movie but has received many negative reviews which I feel have been unjustified. A hard film to watch which leaves a bad taste in the mouth after watching, and one you don't forget in a hurry.





Here is the synopsis of the first half of the film from Wikipedia

"Sarah (Asia Argento) becomes involved with a series of men who treat her and Jeremiah (Jimmy Bennett) poorly, and she uses them as an excuse to abandon her son. She disappears to Atlantic City with her boyfriend, Emerson (Jeremy Renner), and then abandons him; Emerson returns to their home and rapes Jeremiah. After a trip to hospital, Jeremiah's grandmother (Ornella Muti) takes him to a West Virginian radical Christian cult led by his grandfather (Peter Fonda). After he has been three years with the cult, Sarah returns to reclaim the 11-year-old Jeremiah (Dylan and Cole Sprouse).
Sarah's current lover, Kenny (Matt Schulze), a truck driver, eventually abandons them at a truck stop while Sarah is soliciting. Sarah realizes that if she is going to keep her men she cannot say Jeremiah is her son. She persuades Jeremiah to cross dress so he can act as her "little sister", and Jeremiah's cross-dressing evolves to include his mother's seduction techniques. After dressing up as a "baby doll" version of Sarah, Jeremiah/Sarah seduces Jackson (Marilyn Manson), his mother's latest man, who initially tries to rebuff the boy's advances, but then gives in. Sarah is furious with Jackson for giving in to the boy's advances and with Jeremiah for ruining her panties, and she takes Jeremiah and leaves......"


The DVD is easily available within the UK with a 15 certificate, from Amazon and other retailers.




















Wednesday 12 July 2017

Soldier in Skirts. Cross-dressing to Escape the Army

A Cross-dressing Love Story



A young man deserting the army by cross-dressing and living as a woman, assuming a new identity, and being helped by the woman he loves. This is not the subject of a Fiction Mania transgender fantasy story but of a very well made little known British film from 1972. Based upon the book of the same title by H.E Bates.

'Soldier in Skirts' (AKA 'The Triple Echo' in UK) 1972 Directed by Michael Apsted, Starring Oliver Reed, Glenda Jackson and Brian Deacon.

Don't be fooled by the American title of this film, 'Soldier in Skirts', as this gives the impression that you're going to watch an English farce or the latest Carry On movie. This film is rather tense and for me it left a bad taste in my mouth due to the shocking and tragic ending. So this is no comedy, but shows what happens when reality and fantasy clash.

Set during WWII in a quiet English farmstead. Glenda Jackson plays Alice, who is running her farm single handed since her husband has become a prisoner of the Japanese. While Alice is roaming her farm she meets a young soldier, Barton, played by Brian Deacon. The two quickly become friends and then lovers. Barton decides to desert the army and takes refuse with Alice on her farm, in exchange for helping out on the farm.


The military, notice Barton's absence and soon start searching for him. Barton has to take extreme measures to avoid being caught and takes on the identity of Alice's sister. Barton is soon crossdressed and living s 'Jill'.

One day Alice and Jill receive a visit from two members of the military whilst trying to navigate the local fields in their tank. Oliver Reed plays the sergeant who soon becomes intrigued by the two sisters living on the farm. Oliver Reed's character is shown as a very masculine and macho male, such a contrast from the gentle male Barton, who now lives as Jill.



Christmas is approaching and there is a Christmas party being held in the village. And guess what the sergeant is on the lookout for a date. The sergeant asks 'Jill' to the Christmas dance, Alice tries her best to persuade Jill to make excuses and not go. However Jill is very niave, she has cabin fever being hidden on the farm all of the time and would like to have some fun. Jill really doesn't seem to understand the risks involved and accepts the invitation to the dance.


The dance sequence is done very well with Oliver Reed trying his best to get close to Jill. They dance check to cheek and even end up under the mistletoe together. Jill manages to avoid being kissed by sergeant but you can see his patience is being tested.

Male to Female Transformation Videos are Just a Click Away



Well you can imagine what happens, Jill's disguise is soon unmasked and the military soon realise that Jill is the local deserter they have been looking for. A very angry Oliver Reed personally seeks out Deacon for arrest, but not before a public assault to appease the sergeants humiliation of being fooled by 'Jill'. I won't say how it ends that's for you to discover.

Have a look at the clip below for a taster of the film. The Spanish DVD edition is available from Amazon here