A delicate and rich relationship drama, 52 Tuesdays follows a family through a year of transformation. The film opens with the revelation that Billie’s mother is preparing to transition to become a man. They make an arrangement that Billie will live with her father for the year but she will spend every Tuesday evening with her mother. In true 16-year-old style, Billie has her own plans for these Tuesdays and sets down a very different path of exploration.
Developed through a low-budget film initiative, 52 Tuesdays was filmed sequentially every Tuesday for a year. Using a cast of non-actors (Tilda Cobham-Hervey – aka Australia’s answer to Carey Mulligan – was found at an open audition) and a script written week to week has infused the film with a freshness and energy. The dialogue is sharp and the relationships are well drawn. We see something from each of the Tuesdays, although the film does, somewhat understandably, struggle to maintain the pace with which it begins.
Director Sophie Hyde is quick to point out that this isn’t a trans film- it’s a film which happens to have a trans character. It presents a myriad of viewpoints on family, relationships and sexuality, and all are handled with sensitivity and grace. The film has already been lauded, with Hyde picking up the World Cinema Dramatic Best Director award at Sundance and a Crystal Bear at Berlin. It’s a bracing portrait of a modern family and one that should be seen.
