Actualités

Based on a true-life figure, "Princesa" tells the story of a young Brazilian transsexual who journeys to Milan with the hope of scoring enough money as a hooker to pay for a sex-change operation.

Why Milan, you ask? It seems the red-light district of this Italian city is the world's largest market for transvestite prostitution. That fact is the most educational and edifying aspect of this less-than-scintillating Brazilian effort, from Strand Releasing, which squanders a colorful setting and characters with uninspired acting and direction.

Based loosely on Fernanda Farias de Albuquerque, whose autobiography inspired the film, the titular hero/heroine is 19-year-old Fernanda, played by gorgeous newcomer Ingrid de Souza. Fernanda arrives in Milan with little experience, but soon she is taken under the wing of Karin (Lulu Pecorari), an older transsexual and the de facto madame of the streets.

Soon Fernanda, now dubbed Princesa, has become one of the most successful prostitutes around, popular with clients and co-workers alike. Things are going swimmingly until she be-comes involved romantically with one of her customers, Gianni (Cesare Bocci), a handsome, married businessman.

Although initially horrified and disgusted when he learns of her true sexuality, Gianni overcomes his reservations, leaves his wife and moves in with Fernanda, promising to pay for her operation. Unfortunately, she soon discovers that, while she wants to become a woman, being a conventional housewife isn't all it's cracked up to be.

While the film deals with pro-vocative situations, it is surprisingly formulaic and tired in its approach, and the central character isn't drawn with sufficient complexity to engage our interest. Not helping matters is de Souza's lack of expressiveness; while beautiful to look at, too often her emotions don't register onscreen.

The supporting players fare better; many of them are nonpros, but they bear a stamp of authenticity that adds greatly to the atmosphere. Pecorari is particularly effective as the world-weary Karin. Another strong asset is the extensive location shooting on the seedier neighborhoods of Milan, demonstrating that the city is about more than fashion models and the Duomo.

PRINCESA

Strand Releasing

Director Henrique Goldman

Screenwriters Henrique Goldman, Ellis Freeman

Producer Rebecca O'Brien

Director of photography Guillermo Escalon

Editor Kerry Kohler

Composer Giovanni Venosta

Color/stereo

Cast:

Fernanda Ingrid de Souza

Gianni Cesare Bocci

Karin Lulu Pecorari

Charlo Johnny Guimares

Fofao Sonia Morgan

Running time -- 96 minutes

No MPAA rating...