J. B. Ghuman Jr. / USA 2010 / 86 min / K-13
Strange is beautiful
The film is named after its main character, Spork, a regular American teenager trying to survive high school. Well, regular apart from being intersexual and thus having the nickname Spork – for “having both”. This mirrors the common conception of intersexual persons as being hermaphrodites. Spork sleeps with 3D glasses on, is a confirmed nerd and gets bullied in school. When the school holds a Dance off, Spork decides to shine, with the help of a passionate dancer living in the next trailer and her friends.
The film manages to give the familiar teen comedy formula an insightful and queer twist. The main character’s personality growth and objects of affection are far from conventional. Spork’s intersexuality doesn’t feel glued on or over-emphasized, but is cleverly compared to other arbitrary motives for bullying. The fresh soundtrack and musical scenes help make Spork a little gem.
