Coming Out

This is such a wonderful little short film. It's instantly engaging, surprisingly emotional, and the animation/characters are very cute... and it achieves it all in just two minutes.

It uses stop-motion animation paired excellently with classic Godzilla sound effects (and what I think is soundalike music), and the story is just about Godzilla Jr. Coming out as transgender to Godzilla Sr., and that's about it. It's very simple, but very human (even if the main characters are big lizards) and empathetic, and there's something about the approach that really works. I think the simplicity argues that such a thing should be simple and parents should ultimately support what their children feel.

It is an unfortunately contentious thing nowadays, among some people, but this short uses gentle humor, cute characters, and a very direct/simple story to argue that it shouldn't cause conflict or distress, and that if someone feels that way about themselves, then good for them; they should have the right to express themselves, because it's unlikely to hurt anyone. Godzilla Sr. May not understand personally, but he educates himself and supports Godzilla Jr.'s decision, and isn't judgmental. It's a lovely short film, and it does so much in so little time... I always get a kick out of revisiting it.

With a lovely and great use of stop motion, director Cressa Maeve Beer is providing curious and fun short films starring Godzilla as the main hero living in the modern world and adapting himself to situation involved his fellow Zilla's. In the previous 2019 short, he had to deal with a friend who can't stop texting when he's around, which drives completely mad. In this most recent adventure, the brave and frightening monster that terrifies cities, people and other creatures shows to us he can be a family man dealing with situations at home. Here, he discovers his Godzilla child identifies himself as being a trans girl and comes out to him.

I guess you can have a good mental image of what's to come (or not) but you'll be certain to get amusing, cute and positive images on the way. The giant monster proves that he has a heart as big as him, a pure heart of gold. Those positive representation of Godzilla are fun to watch because it changes a lot the perceptions we have from him as only the destroyer of places and people. I like to get other perspectives, and lately many other dark characters are getting more and more unique views, some heroes too. With works as this we can give a more in depth look to them, imagine scenarios and have not only funny films but more nuanced, balanced experiences to reflect, enjoy and ignore the cliches for a while. I truly recommend this project and I can't wait to see more from Cressa and the Father of the Year and that title goes to this fierce and thoughtful Godzilla. 10/10

Honestly you take out the trans messaging and you are left with a very uninspired and gimmicky fan film. There's plenty of better Godzilla fan films out there and it's a shame this one has been latched onto as the one to watch given all it's doing is vocalising support in a genre already rife with support for seemingly "lesser" individuals. The janky stop motion doesn't help at all and Cressa Maeve Beer's other works are of a similar beat.

Looking down the list of Horror shorts showcased by LGB film makers at the Soho Horror Film Festival,I was intrigued to notice one starring Godzilla (!), which led to me witnessing a Kaiju come out.

View on the film:

Subverting the monster image of Godzilla, the screenplay by Julia Durr joyfully unveils Godzilla's support for trans rights via the monster roars from 'zilla being revealed to be a loud noise,which behind it lays a quiet, loving creature.

Wisely staying away from CGI, director Cressa Maeve Beer brilliantly uses stop-motion animation and stop/start movement of toys to build an atmosphere of child-like innocence to the love that an older Godzilla displays,when a young Godzilla comes out.