We Will Be Brave screens at the 27th Annual Reel Asian Film Festival. It’s a documentary that only scratches the surface of its subject matter, and consequently feels like it falls a little short and doesn’t do it justice. But maybe that’s a good thing, because the subject matter itself isn’t given the justice it deserves in society, we have fallen short in our efforts.

Mental health and masculinity have always seemed to be at odds. This doc, then, epxlores the work of the Good Guise, an art collective composed of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, racialized men and non-binary people who are seeking to  to create an environment where it’s safe to express and be with your feelings.

The film takes place in and around the Eglinton area of Toronto. It delves into a number of aspects of the underfunded collective which struggles to make its resources work and provide support to its community. They do this through photography, music, and poetry, making sure that they are seen and heard, talked about, and no longer ignored.

They are determined to change the face of what it means to be masculine, what it means to be a man, and feel safe enough to express their emotions and ask their needs to be validated. It’s an important concept and one that needs to be explored, in-depth. We Will Be Brave plays like a sampler, hinting at the work, the need for change, and the power of community.

It’s an important watch, but arguably could have been longer and explored more to show how evolving masculinity has affected not only the subjects we are introduced to in the documentary, all of whom have powerful stories, but their community and the city.

Check this title and others out at the Reel Asian Film Festival.