RUNS IN THE FAMILY

South Africa, 2023, 107 minutes, Colour.

Ace Bhatti, Gabe Gabriel, Cleo Wesley, Lauren Loubser, Diaan Lawrenson, Rob van Vuuren.

Directed by Ian Gabriel.

As the title suggests, this is a film about family. But, it is very much a different kind of family. The setting is South Africa.

The focus is on River, in his early 20s, at birth the girl, discerning a male identification, beginning the transition, needing money for final surgery. His father is of Indian background, tailor, but with a conman past. River’s mother, Monica, has been absent for most of his life, a white South African and former flight attendant.

River, now identifying as male, bonds with a close friend, Drag Queen, Ollie. They do a pod cast as they travel around in their car with many followers. And, there is a world competition, South African addition of Drag Queen performances coming up. River and Ollie hope to win, the proceedings for the surgery.

But there is a dramatic situation, River’s father contacted by Monica, in an institution and wanting to be freed, the only legal person open to do so, River. He is unwilling to go but changes his mind.

The film then becomes a road film, bonding between father and son, shared interests, generational differences, having to cross the border illegally, getting help from a friendly passerby, getting Monica out of the institution, back under the fence and back to the city.

Monica has to get used to the trans-situation, seemingly very friendly. And memories of the past, especially with their friend Stan involved in an insurance scam.

But, there is a difficulty, Ollie having an injury preventing performance at the drag show, the decision for the father to take his place, the rehearsals, dress fittings, make up, and the actual performance which is a great success – but their not winning.

It might seem that the film would end there but there is another 20 minutes or more, quite some complications in the plotting, harsh revelations about Monica, some truths for Stan, some truths for River, especially about Monica and her using him, but the final truth coming out and happy ending.

That is played by Gabe Gabriel, writing the screenplay, drawing on his own life, and the film directed by his father, Ian Gabriel.

Many audiences will watch the film because of the Drag Scene – and it is in the tradition of quite a number of films, most notably, To Wong Foo, With Thanks for Everything, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, La Cage aus Folles, The Birdcage, Victor/Victoria, Flawless, Connie and Carla, Kinky Boots, Torch Trilogy.

1. A South African story, universal story, father-son, transgender, drag shows?
2. The settings, the towns, shops, bars, the drag scene in clubs, the South African countryside, the institution, bars and motels, the final show?
3. The musical score, the range of songs, especially as background for the drag performances?
4. The credibility of the situation, the writer-actor and his own trans story, writing the screenplay, his father directing?
5. Title, the family situation, river, growing up as a girl, indication of male identity, transitions, saving money for surgery? His relationship with his father, Indian background, conman friends, Stan, bringing up his son, supporting him? The absent mother, Monica, 20 years absent, not wanting to be a mother, her phone call, wanting to be rescued from the institution, River being blood relation the only one to sign her out, his unwillingness, change of heart?
6. River and travelling with Ollie, the pod cast, the visuals, the feedback, the clientele?
7. The Drag Scene, River and his friendship with Ollie, the camp style, the club, the dancing, the chatter, the other members? The prospect of the competition, the big prize money, to contribute to the surgery? The planning, choreography? Ollie and the injury? The solution with Varun having to step in, being willing, the rehearsals, the older man and stumbling, the dress fittings, the make up, the performance, the zest? But not winning?
8. River and his unwillingness to help his mother, bitterness towards her, her absence? Change of heart, the drive, the conversation, the music, the different generations? Overnight, the shared room, booking the second room for Monica, going to the bar, the father dancing, their being ousted? The later return, Monica and her flirting, River and her affirming him, accepted?
9. Getting the lift, Shaunice and her reaction to River, her own problems, listening to the story, giving them a lift, intervening, helping?
10. The border, the mistake, trekking, under the wire, at the institution, the receptionist reluctant, trying persuasion? Eventually the fake document, River signing, Monica mistaking Shaunice for River, accepting the reality? Under the fence and back to town? The conversations, the rehearsals?
11. At home, Monica going to the bar? The competition day, the celebrities arrival, the drag show, the range of performances, applause, River and his father, the strong performance and acclaim, not winning?
12. River, applauding, his resignation? River and his money, gone, the bank account cleared? Monica and her disappearance? His father, confronting Stan, the denials, seeing the hearing, his return, confronting Stan and Monica?
13. The revelation, the documents, Stan and his wanting a family, the past escapades and the cons with the father and Monica, the insurance money?
14. The aftermath, River and Ollie and their love for each other, River and his father, the renovated store, Stan giving it to them and taking some money and disappearing? Monica left stranded?
15. The blend of the serious theme, comedy, a road film, the drag scene?