Girl

Lara.

Lara.

Quiet.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

Are you out of your mind? Stop it.

Too late.

Pretty, don't you think? - What is wrong with you?

I just wanted my ears pierced, so I did it.

You disinfected them, I hope? - I'm not an idiot.

Show me, please. Show me.

Yes. Next, please.

Good luck.

Your classical technique needs further perfecting.

But it's good enough, that's not the problem.

Pointe work is new to you.

That might be an issue.

There's a serious risk of damage. Your feet were trained differently.

Frankly a career as a ballerina looks doubtful for you.

I'm following the advice of your previous school.

But we do have great confidence in your perseverance.

I suggest a trial period of eight weeks.

Then we'll see if you're evolving enough...

and if you can keep up with the other girls.

OK? - Yes.

All that exercise is to her advantage.

Her bones are strong despite the puberty inhibitors.

But it's important that she keeps taking her vitamins.

She does.

And how are you? - Fine, thank you.

There she is.

Let's get you weighed.

Alright?

There.

How are you feeling today? - Good.

Are you having a good day? - Yes.

Did you sleep well?

You look good. You're beaming. - Thank you.

Have you been counting the days until your hormone treatment?

Yes.

You freely admit that? - Yes.

Normally people lie first and I have to worm it out of them.

What did you promise me last time? - Not to do that too much.

And why did you do it anyway?

I don't do it too much.

But why do it at all?

Because it might make the time go faster.

No, in fact it goes slower if you focus on that day.

Live in the present. Enjoy the moment.

Be a woman now. You are a woman.

That's good, right? I see a nice, pretty woman.

What do you think the hormone treatment will change?

My looks. That I'll have breasts and all that.

Do you look forward to having breasts?

You're a woman, so you have a woman's body. Already.

The only thing we can do is confirm that and support it.

But you already are everything you will be then.

You understand? Do you believe I see a woman when I look at you?

Not really. - No.

That is such a shame.

We can't... - I'll help you.

Yes, here.

Thank you. - You're welcome.

Mathias. - Lewis.

Pleased to meet you.

I'm going down to get more boxes. Would you start unpacking?

Let's put the food in here.

And this?

Here? Or on the other side? - No, this is practical.

Yes, that one is free. - Thanks.

Let's do that again. Move up a bit. And go back.

More épaulement.

Back, back.

Yes. I missed the épaulement at the end.

And I haven't seen that plié yet. Let's do bourrée, and straight...

The preparation here is very important. Plié, then up from the elbow. Again.

Look at each other.

I'm Antoine and this summer I did an internship in Cannes.

But I actually only went two days because I was injured.

And you're recovered now? - Yes, a bit.

OK.

I'm Anke and I'm sixteen and I'm from Izegem, West-Flanders.

And this summer I made a trip to Rome in Italy.

OK, and how was Italy? - Warm. Mostly very warm.

And was it nice? - Yes, it was.

Your turn. - I'm Lara and I'm almost 16 as well.

And I've a little brother, he's 6.

OK.

This may be a direct question, but, Lara, I'll ask you to close your eyes...

while I ask the other girls to raise their hands...

if they have a problem with Lara changing in the girl's changing room.

OK, you can close your eyes.

OK, thank you. Your turn.

Hi, my name is Elody and I'm 16.

And I did an internship at the Paris Opera this summer.

Did you sleep well?

Very well. You? - Not too bad.

Finish your sandwich and we'll go.

Were you working late last night? - To 3 or 4 in the morning.

Pretty late.

There's nothing in your pocket.

Yes, there's some dirt in it. - What?

Dirt. - Oh.

Thank you.

Would you like a biscuit? - No, thank you.

27...

And what comes after that?

28, 29, 3... 3...

See you tonight. - Hi, Milo.

Are you his sister? - Yes, I am.

Places everybody. - Yes, miss.

OK, stop. You're like a wooden stick. That doesn't work.

Your body weight has to play a part in the action.

Down, and turn. Plié.

Plié, and now. Up, on your leg, stand.

Up, up. And long arm.

Turn. Bring your head round. And forward.

Plié, side.

Plié and...

Turn.

We have a lot of work to do. A lot of work. A lot.

Girls start doing pointe work at the age of 12.

Light, gentle exercises that make their feet stronger and stronger.

You see? So this is really...

forcing it a bit.

Some things can't be changed, right?

You can't just lob bits of your feet off.

From the back, right? - Yes.

Don't worry, Milo. You'll make new friends soon.

We empty out the penis and remove all the cavernous bodies.

Then we close it up and turn it in, so it becomes your new vagina.

We'll use a part of the glans to make a clitoris.

Since you're on puberty inhibitors, your penis may not have grown much.

So we may have to use some bowel tissue...

to make the vagina deep enough.

What are the potential complications?

The most frequent ones are bleeding...

and slow healing of the wounds.

One very serious complication is a rectovaginal fistula.

It's a perforation of the bowel that allows stool to leak into the vagina.

But that's very rare. - Fortunately it is.

We'll have to give you a colostomy in any case...

until the wound is completely healed.

You're so tense.

We can stop if you like, so you can smoke your cigarette.

No, that's OK.

I'm just worried, that's all.

Doesn't it bother you? - What?

It's good news.

Yes, but seeing those pictures and stuff. Doesn't that...

Doesn't it bother you?

Not at all. It makes me happy.

It seems to bother you though. - Well, not really.

OK.

That's alright then.

It's just not something you see every day. You know?

I know.

How are you doing at school?

Fine. Why?

What are the boys in your class like? - No idea. Nice guys.

Yes, but is there one who is maybe...

a little nicer than the rest? - No.

I don't want to talk about that with you. That's private.

Is that private?

Why are you laughing? - If it's about me, nothing is private.

Of course not. - That's weird.

That's just weird.

Also, I never said I fancy boys.

Oh, OK.

That's new. - Yes.

So you're into girls? - I don't know.

Maybe.

It's fine. You can tell me.

I would if I knew, but I don't. What's for dinner?

Shall we invite your special friend?

Stop it. Let's get you dressed.

Come here.

Stop it, or I'll hurt you. - No. I'm tired.

I know, but it makes no difference. You'll be late for school.

Stop it. - No, I won't.

Now sit still.

Stop it. - Come on.

Stop it, Victor.

Do it yourself then.

Stop.

That's enough.

Don't you hit me.

Are you done?

Why won't you get dressed?

Never use that name anymore, alright?

OK? - Yes.

And one...

Arabesque. 90 degrees. Come on.

And one, and two, and three...

and four, and five, and six, and seven, and eight, and stop. Yes.

One, two...

Tombé, pas de bourrée. Oh, my dear.

Come on, dance. Move. Keep it lively.

And one, stand. Move on. Keep that leg stiff. Stop.

Plié, go, pas de bourrée.