‘GEN_’ Review: A Compassionate Portrait of an Italian Doctor Treating Both Trans Patients and Women Trying to Conceive

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In the heartfelt documentary by director Gianluca Matarrese titled “GEN_“, we encounter Dr. Maurizio Bini, a distinguished physician who straddles two seemingly disparate fields. Based at Milan’s Niguarda hospital, he manages not only a bustling fertility clinic but also a department that offers gender-affirming surgeries and hormonal therapy for transgender patients.

In predominantly Catholic Italy, where the current ruler ran on a platform promoting “Yes to traditional families; no to LGBT advocacy groups,” Bini is seen as something of a miracle worker. He’s successfully contributed to reversing Italy’s dwindling birth rate (one of the lowest in Europe) while simultaneously supporting a burgeoning transgender community. What makes this even more extraordinary is that his medical treatments are funded by Italy’s public healthcare system, despite right-wing parties holding significant political power at the local level.

In the latest work by Matarrese, he delves into the life of a retiring doctor, Bini, by accompanying him during his daily consultations over several months. The narrative primarily focuses on Bini’s interactions with patients in his office, where he often assumes the roles of both a psychologist and philosopher to aid them in resolving intricate personal matters. Remarkably, Bini communicates not just in Italian but also in Mandarin, Arabic, and likely many other languages that he is proficient in.

In Matarrese’s footage outside the hospital, Bini is observed trekking through the Lombardy countryside in search of elusive mushrooms. Initially, these scenes appear unrelated to the main storyline, but later, the doctor clarifies that mushroom reproduction mirrors human reproduction, with male spores fertilizing female ones. This portrayal of Bini as a character from an era of kindness and compassion is striking, particularly in his ability to perform procedures such as IVF or gender confirmation surgeries in a single day. When questioned about his diverse practice, Bini responds simply: “We are doctors to serve people.

In GEN_, there are some particularly impactful moments where the doctor is seen advising young transgender patients. Some of these individuals are content with their current treatments, while others return seeking further procedures. The doctor encourages one 20-year-old considering facial surgery by saying, “You’re more beautiful than you realize,” and another patient tearfully expresses that hormonal treatment is crucial for them, stating it as a matter of life or death.

As a gamer diving into this documentary, I found myself serving as both the observer and the unseen participant. Matarrese, who doubled as the cinematographer, kept a careful distance that allowed the patients to be their natural selves around him. However, Bini seemed to have a keen eye for the camera, which at times made his sessions feel slightly scripted or rehearsed. Yet, these performances were enlightening, offering glimpses into profound moments as doctors guided patients through life-altering choices.

The production by GEN_, despite depicting content that some might find challenging, offers a standardizing perspective to viewers. Bini, the protagonist, approaches all patients, whether transgender or cisgender, with sincerity and dignity. He treats everyone equally, as he sees no distinction between them. The film suggests that such equitable treatment should be the norm everywhere. Matarrese’s work might depict a small utopia within one hospital in northern Italy, but it instills hope that soon, such an inclusive environment will not be exceptional.

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2025-07-12 03:24