Ryna

Story Line: In rural Romania, teenage Ryna (Petre) tries to find her own identity despite her abusive father (Popescu), who insists she dress and act like a boy. But only a tragic act of violence gives her the courage to assert her independence.

Bottom Line: It would be easy to think of Ryna as a Romanian Boys Don't Cry, and that might be the easiest way to sell it to an American audience. The films are similar in their general themes of intolerance, abuse of power and having the courage to be true to yourself. Here, Ryna desperately wants to be a girl to a father who simply can't accept her gender, and his inability is heartbreaking. Being forced to keep her hair short, work as a mechanic and wear baggy pants still can't hide Ryna's natural beauty, which is seen by many men in town and leads to a tragic end that still offers a tinge of hope. This tightly made film is powerful in its brevity and features a stand-out performance by Petre. Having played at many film festivals, Ryna should appeal to those arthouse fans who enjoyed Boys Don't Cry and are interested in the subject of sexual identity.