English summary

‘Daniela Vega is an enchanting actress. A natural talent who can be vulnerable without diminishing the energy she exudes…’

‘Combative, imaginative film.’

Una Mujer Fantástica (A Fantastic Woman) starts out as a beautiful fairy tale with a gently surrealistic feel. Marina and her twenty-year older boyfriend Orlando are in love, happy and busy building their future together. But his sudden death brings life as Marina knows it to an abrupt end. Only then does it begin to dawn on her: she is transgender.

Events rob Marina (phenomenal acting by Daniela Vega) of the time to grieve. Both the doctors and Orlando’s family have their suspicions about her exact role in his death. While an investigation gets underway, his family, which never accepted the relationship, excludes her entirely. But Marina won’t be marginalised and fights for the right to be herself. Her indomitable lust for life and dry humour stand her in good stead.

At the Berlin Film Festival, director Sebastián Lelio was deservedly praised for his multilayered storyline. He astounds and surprises his audience with complex scenes in this amazingly beautiful Chilean film. Una Mujer Fantástica is a disarming ode to a strong woman, marvellously portrayed by revelation Daniela Vega.