Trained in The Ways of Men Reviews

Reviewseviews
Mercury News By Bruce Newman ``TRAINED IN THE WAYS OF MEN'' The irony hidden in the title of Shelly Prevost's methodical documentary about the murder of Gwen Araujo -- a transgender 17-year-old from Newark, born Eddie -- is that it refers as much to the four men accused of beating her to death as it does to the gender-identity questions Araujo confronted. The defendants, several of whom had had sex with the young woman they knew as Lida, nearly were acquitted before a deadlocked jury resulted in a mistrial the first time the case was tried, and the film follows the story's twists and turns both inside and out of the courtroom. This case is well-known locally, but the tenderness with which ``Eddie's'' mother, Sylvia Guerrero, tells of his transformation from male to female brings the human tragedy into sharper focus than the headlines generated by the trial. Prevost followed the case for so long that a couple of people's appearances change dramatically -- but without explanation -- from one interview to the next, and it's obvious Prevost didn't have a lot of money to lavish on production values. But like an episode of ``Law and Order,'' the film lays out the facts of the case, allows us to get to know many of the principal characters and packs an emotional wallop. For all those reasons, this is sure to be one of the festival's highlights. Entire Mercury News Article Metro by Steve Palopoli Trained in the Ways of Men (U.S.; 92 min.) Shelly Prevost's documentary about the brutal killing of transgendered teen Gwen Araujo in Newark walks the line between true-crime grit and educational queer-positivism. It's an approach fraught with disaster potential—lighthearted on-the-street interviews about gender identification could come off as inappropriate, while ghastly details about the murder might have seemed too sensationalistic. But Prevost's earnestness is beyond reproach—this is a heartfelt and moving film that takes the crucial first step toward healing society's transphobic ills. Of course, the first step is always the hardest, and a huge part of the audience that needs to see this film may be uncomfortable with the questions it raises. But anyone who can open their mind enough to walk into it will walk out with their worldview challenged and changed. (SP) (Mar 10, 7:45pm, SJ Rep; Mar 11, 4:45pm, SJ Rep) Entire Metro Review
FILM Variety Trained in the Ways of Men (Docu) A Reel Freedom Films production. Produced by Shelly Prevost. Directed, edited by Shelly Prevost. With: Sylvia Guerrero, Dr. C.J. Pascoe, Michael Thompson, Chris Lamiero, Tony Serra, Pearl Serrano, Jaime Ray, Prof. Barrie Thorn, Peggy Poggio. A 2002 Northern California murder case that brought national attention to violence against transsexuals, as Matthew Shepard's killing did to gay-bashing, is the focus of Shelly Prevost's "Trained in the Ways of Men." Straightforward docu examines public attitudes toward gender blur in the context of its worst-case scenario, in which "trans panic" led to the brutal killing of 17-year-old Gwen Araujo. Gay fest, pubcast and educational exposure are signaled. Willowy, model-pretty Gwen, nee Eddie, started cross-dressing at 14. She was partying one night at a Newark, Calif., residence with four young men and one woman when the latter forcibly "examined" the intact male genitalia; hysterical collective reaction triggered Gwen's prolonged bludgeoning and strangulation. Claiming "heat of passion," the accused male assailants sought manslaughter convictions. After a mistrial, a second trial finally delivered justice, albeit limited by perception of "sexual deception as provocation," as if killing a transgendered person were somewhat understandable. Celebrated liberal attorney Tony Serra sadly makes a rather grotesque impression among other lawyers, relatives and scholarly interviewees. Newscast and courtroom footage fill out workmanlike assembly. Camera (color, video), Heidi Verlaine, Prevost; music, Lars Hidde. Reviewed on DVD, San Francisco, March 15, 2007. (In Cinequest Film Festival.) Running time: 97 MIN. Posted: Fri., Mar. 16, 2007, 5:58pm PT Complete Review
A Grown Women This documentary went over the background and case of Gwen Araujo, a transgendered teen from the Bay Area who was brutally beaten and strangled by four men who were surprised to discover she was a biological male. It was truly heartbreaking, and I was glad I brought both my kids and one of Spike's friends with me. Both of my kids loved it, and the friend (a male) said it "freaked him out". I asked him why, and he said "It just gave me a whole lot to think about." Which is exactly what it should do. There was just no way to come away from this movie thinking that Gwen a) had no right to call herself a female, or b) deserved what happened to her. Much of the story was told through interviews with Gwen's mother, her family, and all the attorneys involved in the case. Gwen's mother was in the theater and got a standing ovation. The theater itself was completely packed. It was a very well done documentary and an important story that deserves to be told - I am sure it will be picked up by some television station and shown in that manner - you should all see it when it comes out. http://www.agrownwoman.com/

Reviewseviews

Mercury News

By Bruce Newman

``TRAINED IN THE WAYS OF MEN'' The irony hidden in the title of Shelly Prevost's methodical documentary about the murder of Gwen Araujo -- a transgender 17-year-old from Newark, born Eddie -- is that it refers as much to the four men accused of beating her to death as it does to the gender-identity questions Araujo confronted. The defendants, several of whom had had sex with the young woman they knew as Lida, nearly were acquitted before a deadlocked jury resulted in a mistrial the first time the case was tried, and the film follows the story's twists and turns both inside and out of the courtroom.

This case is well-known locally, but the tenderness with which ``Eddie's'' mother, Sylvia Guerrero, tells of his transformation from male to female brings the human tragedy into sharper focus than the headlines generated by the trial. Prevost followed the case for so long that a couple of people's appearances change dramatically -- but without explanation -- from one interview to the next, and it's obvious Prevost didn't have a lot of money to lavish on production values. But like an episode of ``Law and Order,'' the film lays out the facts of the case, allows us to get to know many of the principal characters and packs an emotional wallop. For all those reasons, this is sure to be one of the festival's highlights.

Entire Mercury News Article

Metro

by Steve Palopoli

Trained in the Ways of Men
(U.S.; 92 min.) Shelly Prevost's documentary about the brutal killing of transgendered teen Gwen Araujo in Newark walks the line between true-crime grit and educational queer-positivism. It's an approach fraught with disaster potential—lighthearted on-the-street interviews about gender identification could come off as inappropriate, while ghastly details about the murder might have seemed too sensationalistic. But Prevost's earnestness is beyond reproach—this is a heartfelt and moving film that takes the crucial first step toward healing society's transphobic ills. Of course, the first step is always the hardest, and a huge part of the audience that needs to see this film may be uncomfortable with the questions it raises. But anyone who can open their mind enough to walk into it will walk out with their worldview challenged and changed. (SP) (Mar 10, 7:45pm, SJ Rep; Mar 11, 4:45pm, SJ Rep)

Entire Metro Review

FILM

Variety

Trained in the Ways of Men
(Docu)

A Reel Freedom Films production. Produced by Shelly Prevost. Directed, edited by Shelly Prevost.

With: Sylvia Guerrero, Dr. C.J. Pascoe, Michael Thompson, Chris Lamiero, Tony Serra, Pearl Serrano, Jaime Ray, Prof. Barrie Thorn, Peggy Poggio.

A 2002 Northern California murder case that brought national attention to violence against transsexuals, as Matthew Shepard's killing did to gay-bashing, is the focus of Shelly Prevost's "Trained in the Ways of Men." Straightforward docu examines public attitudes toward gender blur in the context of its worst-case scenario, in which "trans panic" led to the brutal killing of 17-year-old Gwen Araujo. Gay fest, pubcast and educational exposure are signaled.

Willowy, model-pretty Gwen, nee Eddie, started cross-dressing at 14. She was partying one night at a Newark, Calif., residence with four young men and one woman when the latter forcibly "examined" the intact male genitalia; hysterical collective reaction triggered Gwen's prolonged bludgeoning and strangulation. Claiming "heat of passion," the accused male assailants sought manslaughter convictions. After a mistrial, a second trial finally delivered justice, albeit limited by perception of "sexual deception as provocation," as if killing a transgendered person were somewhat understandable. Celebrated liberal attorney Tony Serra sadly makes a rather grotesque impression among other lawyers, relatives and scholarly interviewees. Newscast and courtroom footage fill out workmanlike assembly.
Camera (color, video), Heidi Verlaine, Prevost; music, Lars Hidde. Reviewed on DVD, San Francisco, March 15, 2007. (In Cinequest Film Festival.) Running time: 97 MIN.

Posted: Fri., Mar. 16, 2007, 5:58pm PT
Complete Review

A Grown Women

This documentary went over the background and case of Gwen Araujo, a transgendered teen from the Bay Area who was brutally beaten and strangled by four men who were surprised to discover she was a biological male. It was truly heartbreaking, and I was glad I brought both my kids and one of Spike's friends with me. Both of my kids loved it, and the friend (a male) said it "freaked him out". I asked him why, and he said "It just gave me a whole lot to think about." Which is exactly what it should do. There was just no way to come away from this movie thinking that Gwen a) had no right to call herself a female, or b) deserved what happened to her. Much of the story was told through interviews with Gwen's mother, her family, and all the attorneys involved in the case. Gwen's mother was in the theater and got a standing ovation. The theater itself was completely packed.

It was a very well done documentary and an important story that deserves to be told - I am sure it will be picked up by some television station and shown in that manner - you should all see it when it comes out.

http://www.agrownwoman.com/