Israeli Film FLAWLESS - Stars Stav Strashko

FLAWLESS is a film about teen peer pressure for physical perfection.  For one new transfer student Eden (a flawless Stave's Strashko) her need to feel accepted is especially taxing.  Eden is trying to blend in with female friends while discreetly transitioning from male to female.   Strashoko is a transgender Israeli model/actress.  Her stirring and intelligent portrayal of a transgender teen amongst a cesspool of cruelty earned her an Ophir Award nomination for best actress.  The film is much more poignant & disturbing than your typical coming of age - mean girl/bully story.  The film uncovers the disturbing prey on teens' seeking physical perfection.  The heinous business of cropping organs is uncovered.  High school girls are entrapped into selling their kidneys for profit & plastic surgery.  Eden is drawn into the illicit & barbaric bargain by 2 girls in her class, Keshet & Keren.  Both Keshet & Keren sense Eden's coveting breast enhancement and conspire to lure her into a joint Faustian pact.  The susceptible young women are ensnared via the internet.  Israeli directors Sharon Maymom and Tal Granit exposes the ubiquitous filming & sharing on the internet that leads teens to shaming and self-aggrandizing.  It appears every event warrants selfies, self-promotion & grandstanding.  It's no wonder young people feel an overwhelming burden to look spectacular.  Eden experiences misunderstanding, rejection, shaming & violence as a transgender youth.  The film depicts detestable & racial prejudices.  Nevertheless, compassion, empathy and friendship are rendered in uplifting measure.  FLAWLESS is more a sensitive & thoughtful film concerned with serious subjects than flippant, troubled adolescents.