Una mujer fantastica (2017)

Directed by: Sebastian Lelio | 104 minutes | drama | Actors: Daniela Vega, Francisco Reyes, Luis Gnecco, Aline Küppenheim, Nicolás Saavedra, Amparo Noguera, Trinidad González, Néstor Cantillana, Alejandro Goic, Antonia Zegers, Sergio Hernandez

Orlando Ornetto (Francisco Reyes) and Marina Vidal (Daniela Vega) are madly in love. It doesn’t matter that there is a big age difference, they accept each other as they are. They live together in his apartment and make pleasant plans for the future. But a sudden stroke throws a spanner in the works. Orlando passes away, leaving beautiful waitress and singer Marina in deep grief. However, there is no time and space to mourn and give it a place. Several of Orlando’s relatives have never accepted the relationship between the two lovers. Not because of the age difference, but because Marina is a transgender woman. Everything Marina loves is taken from her without any empathy: the car, the apartment, sheepdog Diabla and it is also made all too clear to her that she is not welcome at the funeral. Marina (fortunately) does not accept this and takes up the fight for justice.

If you didn’t know that a transgender person is at the center of this wonderful film, the surprise effect would be enormous at the beginning. As a viewer you catch yourself in amazement: was Marina used to be Daniel?! That gender does not determine who you are or want to be is exactly what director Sebastián Lelio wants to draw attention to in ‘Una mujer fantástica’. The Chilean filmmaker has succeeded with (rainbow) flag and pennant in portraying a fantastically courageous woman who has to endure a lot of headwinds but does not give up and stands up for her own rights.

Marina has to prove her femininity to the outside world day in and day out and that goes beyond wearing skirts, jewelry or make-up. Using various situations or habits, Lelio is able to demonstrate in a nuanced and sensitive manner how confrontational or hurtful it can be for a transgender person, for example, to visit the (women’s) toilet, show an identity card or undergo a body examination. Also the blunt, disrespectful comments of Orlando’s family (when I look at you I don’t know what I see) cause a lot of incomprehension and a feeling of powerlessness.

Lelio, known for ‘Gloria’ (2013) among other things, likes to focus in his films on themes that bring about a new, interesting view of modern society. With ‘Una mujer fantástica’ the director hopes that people will look at reality from a different perspective and in this way broaden their own empathy. Daniela Vega’s powerful acting debut allows viewers to experience, through Marina Vidal, what it means to be transgender. The actress is in reality also transgender and knows better than anyone how ruthless the environment can be if you don’t fit into the “normal or desired picture”. She knows how to convey Marina’s character and the various emotions in an extremely credible and poignant way. In addition, her sensational singing provides (extra) admiration and compassion. What it mainly revolves around is acceptance, which is what transgenders such as Marina long for and which is (unfortunately) often lacking today.

‘Una mujer fantástica’ premiered in February 2017 at the 67th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival, winning the Teddy Award (LGBT award) for Best Feature Film and a Silver Bear for Best Screenplay. Quite rightly so, the film is impressive up to and including the thoughtful and colorful closing credits.