Director Bertil Nilsson’s “Masc” presents an inventive narrative structure by positioning the audience as witnesses to a character engaged in close observation of those around him. The film’s protagonist, Robin, portrayed by Joshua Griffin, remains largely passive in driving the plot forward, instead spending much of his time quietly absorbing the behaviors and mannerisms of the men in his life. This unconventional approach transforms the viewing experience into something distinct, as viewers find themselves adopting Robin’s investigative mindset.
Robin navigates multiple intersecting identities as a queer, biracial, and neurodivergent individual navigating societal expectations. Over the course of a year, he experiments with different appearances, employment situations, social groups, and friendships as he attempts to construct a coherent sense of self. His strategy involves adopting the characteristics and behaviors he observes in others, seeking to understand the underlying motivations behind their actions. This internal transformation is rendered with remarkable authenticity through Griffin’s nuanced performance and Nilsson’s meticulous direction.
The collaboration between Nilsson and Griffin produces work that feels spontaneous and genuine, blurring the line between documentary realism and fictional storytelling. Nilsson enriches the narrative by incorporating scenes that reveal Robin’s interior emotional landscape—his hopes, fears, and private moments. Griffin’s physical performance proves particularly striking, demonstrating impressive control across nearly every frame. His portrayal effectively communicates Robin’s constant vigilance while revealing moments of vulnerability, particularly during a touching interaction with his father that suggests the search for masculine identity may ultimately lead toward genuine human connection rather than external imitation.
Originally reported by Variety →
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