‘DIE WISSEN ALLE NOCH NICHT, WER DU BIST’: BODY NARRATIVE AND TRANS EMBODIMENT IN SABINE BERNARDI'S <i>ROMEOS</i> (2011)

Abstract This article examines the narrative structure of Romeos (Sabine Bernardi, 2011) through the lens of body narrative. While traditional body narrative emphasises the felt discomfort of being trapped in the ‘wrong body’, Romeos challenges this essentialist framework by foregrounding Lukas's trans identification and trans masculinities through an alternative form of body narrative. I contend that the film's rendition of Lukas's body narrative contrasts with the conventional ‘wrong‐body’ narrative and highlights the social dimension of transitioning, positioning Lukas's body as a site of negotiation rather than mere correction. The film portrays Lukas's trans experience by showing his identification with both cis and trans men, and incorporates his embodiment of different masculinities. Reframing trans experiences beyond surgical transition, Romeos offers an alternative body narrative that affirms self‐determination while acknowledging the societal constraints that shape trans embodiments. This article argues that Romeos contributes to a broader, more inclusive discourse on trans embodiments in contemporary media.