今日吃瓜

BEFORE I鈥檇 even watched Ruby Rose鈥檚 self-penned short film Break Free, where she transforms from female to male, I was already cringing.

Now don鈥檛 get me wrong, Ruby has done great work addressing the mental health issues faced by LGBTI youth and increasing the visibility of lesbians in the Australian media, but what irked me was something she posted on Facebook shortly after the film鈥檚 release.

Her post proudly declared the film had been viewed three million times in the first three days 鈥� impressive 鈥� but alongside it were before and after screen grabs of Ruby looking stereotypically feminine then masculine, with the words 鈥渢he transgender movement is here鈥�.

I mean, seriously? Ruby Rose films herself dressing up as a dude and now she鈥檚 taking credit for the progress made by people who鈥檝e fought for trans* rights for years?

Without knowing anything about Ruby鈥檚 personal struggle, my fear was that this could potentially trivialise the experience of trans* people at a time when trailblazers like Laverne Cox are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

All this before I鈥檇 even hit play. So I did.

The film begins with Ruby brushing her long blonde hair, painting her nails and applying glossy pink lipstick. Because hey, that鈥檚 what ladies do.

She then stands forlornly in front of a mirror and cuts off her hair, appearing happier as she goes.

Next Ruby hops into a bath, fully clothed, and tips a bucket of water over her head, letting it flow down her ample cleavage while holding the gaze of the camera. It reminded me of porn films where women look at the camera while performing sexual acts on a guy.

She then binds her breasts and carefully adjusts the dildo down her pants. If we were in the VHS era right now, this section of tape would get worn out pretty quickly.

Ruby buttons her shirt and mouths aggressively to the camera, 鈥淲ho you fuckin鈥� lookin at?鈥� before giving the finger. Because that鈥檚 what bros do, right?

The film ends with her lighting a ciggy while doing her best 鈥渂lue steel鈥�.

So what did I take from that? Well firstly, girl or guy, Ruby Rose is a babe.

But I had two main concerns. I suspected she鈥檇 overdone the cleavage for the sake of appealing to a male fanbase 鈥� kinda like that time she became a covergirl for FHM and pissed off lesbians everywhere.

Secondly, it was a very conventional narrative based on gender stereotypes that focused on the physical aspects of transition.

I decided to read up on Ruby鈥檚 motivation for making the film and was surprised to find out it was autobiographical.

She鈥檇 secretly wished she was a boy since age five or six and has gone back and forth between presenting as feminine and masculine her whole life. Ruby now identifies as gender fluid.

She talked about getting numerous knockbacks early on in her modelling career because of her boyish short hair and style, so made a conscious effort to look more feminine. It was only then that she got her first break on MTV.

For me, this put it all into perspective. It鈥檚 a film about the world forcing you to be someone you鈥檙e not, and finding the courage to break free from those shackles.

Celebrities鈥� lives and careers are largely dictated by appearance and desirability, which would explain why Ruby鈥檚 film presents clich茅d depictions of female and male. It鈥檚 what we see everyday in the media.

Break Free is not a film that speaks for every trans* or gender diverse person, but it highlights Ruby Rose鈥檚 ongoing pursuit of freedom and happiness.

Monique Schafter is a Walkley award-winning journalist at the ABC. to follow her on Twitter.

**This article first appeared in the of the Star Observer. The October聽issue will hit the streets this Thursday (September 18) in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra. to find out where you can grab your free copy.

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