‘I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming’ Wins Tokyo Ethical Film Award for Highlighting Trans Man’s Struggle in Ukraine

The Tokyo International Film Festival has awarded the Ethical Film Award to the German‑Ukrainian drama ‘I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming.’ The film follows Oleh, a trans man whose documents prevent him from escaping the looming war in Ukraine. Its win spotlights the intersection of gender identity and conflict, drawing global attention to stories often left untold.

What happened

German director Isabelle Stever’s drama opened in Kyiv at the end of 2021, months before Russia’s full‑scale invasion. It depicts Oleh, a trans man barred from leaving Ukraine because his gender marker does not match his identity, and his partner Olya as they confront escalating bombardment.

The Tokyo International Film Festival’s Ethical Film Award, created in 2023 with Sumitomo Corporation sponsorship, selects a winner from three nominees. Jury chair Isomura Hayato, a two‑time Japan Academy Film Prize winner, praised the film for confronting gender discrimination amid war, hoping the recognition will spark broader reflection.

Why it matters

The win brings a rare spotlight to trans narratives set against armed conflict, a combination seldom seen in mainstream festivals. By honoring a story rooted in real‑world bureaucratic oppression, the award challenges audiences to consider how legal systems can exacerbate vulnerability during crises. The recognition also signals a growing willingness among major festivals to prioritize ethical storytelling over commercial considerations.

How to think about it

When you watch the film, focus on how bureaucratic language—passport categories, gender markers—directly shapes the characters’ survival options. Consider the broader pattern: war amplifies existing inequities, and policies that seem neutral can become lethal. Use the story as a lens to evaluate current refugee protocols and ask what safeguards are missing for gender‑nonconforming individuals.

FAQ