As Ollie’s desire to transition grows, his girlfriend Sterre is at his side. First taking the form of a jokey “lesbo-vlog”, the process of filming it soon morphs into a dialogue spanning several years. In it, Ollie asks Sterre to affirm her love for him, which he struggles to believe; feeling love for himself is an even greater struggle. At the same time, the testosterone injections and the mastectomy demand both strength and presence. Through interviews, texts, home videos and photographs, “kiss kiss bang bang” reveals the emotional world of two people, showing them grappling to understand what’s happening as well as the mutual care they have for one another. The insights are radically honest, vulnerable and brave. As they willingly reveal numerous puzzle pieces of a most personal nature, the image of a long-term relationship and the work that goes along with it comes into view. Ollie Launspach’s debut film is a gift – and an appeal to keep going.

Carolin Weidner