Princesa

Princesa is a film directed by Henrique Goldman in 2001. It tells the story of a transsexual woman who goes to Italy and works as a prostitute in order to earn money and pay for the SRS. I really like the film since it is very different from other transsexual films which I've seen before. Maybe it is because the film is released in Europe; therefore, the sexual scenes are more open and more acceptable to display to audience. I think the fans of the genre would be satisfied since it really shows the problems that transsexual people usually face in daily life. Not all transsexual people come from rich family; thus, it is really hard for poor transsexual people to pay the fee of sex change operation. However, it is really difficult for them to find a normal job since most of the people would discriminate them. The editing style is outstanding. The lighting is really dark in order to reflect the mood of corrupt life that Fernanda has. But, the lighting is getting brighter and brighter when Fernanda meets Gianni, a married businessman, which shows that Fernanda changes her lifestyle and becomes more like a normal person who has confident. The lighting is back to darkness when Fernanda leaves Gianni and goes back to her previous life as being a prostitute. Also, the director uses many short cuts during the sexually parts. The movie tries to tell viewer that people should be confident while facing problems. Fernanda loves Gianni since she feels that Gainni treats her as a real woman. However, she leaves him at the end because she does not have self confidence. Also, she knows that by doing the sex change operation, she still cannot pregnant and give Gainni a child.

Princesca is a film which shows a more realistic view of what people who are trans gender go through. The film is based on the true story of Fernanda Farias de Albuquerque who was a transsexual who moved to Milan to have a sex change operation. The film stays true to the story and right from the beginning the film it shows the harsh reality that conflicts with the stereotypical Hollywood films. The film definitely has more of a dark and gloomy feel throughout. In addition the film has some styles about it that make it almost seem as if it is more of a documentary then a fictional story.

The movie is made better through the main actress Ingrid de Souza. She plays the part very well and even though some of the characters qualities are not very easily understood, the audience can still little by little come to understand and know the character of Fernanda through Ingrid's work.

The film also touches on the differences between transsexuals and transvestites. These differences can be seen through the characters of Cholla and Fernanda. This film is most definitely not a happy uplifting film. It portrays the real life struggles that actual people go through. All of the actors do a great job of bringing the story to life and the cinematography and lighting and sound also help to make this film a very good piece. If you are a fan of more serious dramatic films that deal with lesser seen topics such as transsexuals or transvestites, I believe you would like this film.

As many readers know, I was heavily influenced in foreign film by a small channel in Los Angeles during the 1980's called the "Z" channel. Up until that time, I had never seen foreign films or considered them as entertainment. The channel is gone, but this would have been one of the films they would have shown. I say this because this film is not widely shown on cable channels and you have to be lucky to catch it.

The central character, Princessa was from South America and was trying to find out whom Princessa as a transsexual was - and it's NOT a pretty road to do so. There's always someone taking advantage while you're trying to be who you are. Princessa travels to Milan to be something she always thought she should be and finding out "to thine own self be true".

I found this story sad and moving and probably a very hard story to tell -- and once more, a story that others may be going through. This film is not for everyone, but a brave move to tell a story -- warts and all.

This film is a sensitive and accurate portrayal of many of the issues surrounding transgendered living. The way that a transgendered individual evolves in feeling about herself as she confronts the implications of 'the operation' on her acceptance of herself and the way others will see her. The film has good production values and very nice scenes of Milano as it is.

Ingrid De Souza is romantic & real & gorgeous !

And singer AUWE's version of "Estate" sung at the closing credits made me swoon!

Speaking as a conservative (but with some liberal leanings), I absolutely recommend this movie to any viewer regardless of how conservative (or liberal) his/her social views may be.

It's a heartfelt love story with a twist! You'll like it, I promise.