After raising a family and rising to a top position at her architecture firm, Canela decides to transition at the age of 48. This documentary delves into Canela's inner conflict as she grapples with the tension between the expectations of others and her authentic self. Embarking on a quest for self-discovery, Canela seeks guidance from healthcare professionals, confides in her children, and reconnects with old friends along the way. As she navigates this transformative path, unexpected revelations about her desires emerge, challenging preconceived notions and societal expectations.
Featured at numerous esteemed film festivals worldwide, Canela offers a poignant portrayal of resilience, courage, and the pursuit of personal truth. Through its intimate storytelling and candid exploration of identity, the documentary invites viewers to contemplate the complexities of self-acceptance and the transformative power of embracing one's true identity.
Intersected by artistic interludes and fly-on-the-wall moments, Canela tells Canela’s story in a slice-of-life style, showing us everyday moments from the worksite to the dinner table. Canela goes on dates, visits with her aging mother and her now-adult children, and navigates the stressful world of trans healthcare. Through it all, we see Canela stand for herself and her happiness. Through several tear-jerking moments, she opens up to her family about her needs during her upcoming surgery and reconnects with a trans woman she dated many years ago.
Those seeking a documentary centered on Argentinian trans women or society will be particularly fascinated by Canela. The element of the film that stuck out most to me is how normal the documentary’s intimacy felt. Typically, trans documentaries of this style will focus undue amounts of time on people’s bodies or the private details of their healthcare. Canela skillfully avoids common pitfalls by framing Canela instead of her transness as the subject. Canela is a must-have for any library that is expanding their LGBTQIA+ documentary collection and will be an excellent addition to any queer documentary series in the works. Highly Recommended.
What kind of college instructor could use this film?
The film Canela could be particularly beneficial for college instructors teaching courses related to queer studies, gender studies, sociology, psychology, or film studies. It provides rich material for discussions on themes such as identity, gender expression, societal expectations, resilience, family dynamics, and the intersectionality of gender and age. Instructors can use this documentary to foster critical thinking and empathy among students, encouraging them to explore the complexities of LGBTQIA+ experiences and the significance of self-acceptance.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
Canela belongs prominently on the shelves of public libraries within the LGBTQIA+ documentary collections. It offers a valuable resource for individuals seeking to learn more about transgender experiences, particularly within the context of Argentine society. By featuring a nuanced portrayal of Canela's journey and avoiding sensationalized narratives often associated with transgender documentaries, it provides a more authentic representation of transgender life. This documentary can serve as an educational tool to foster understanding, empathy, and inclusivity within the community. Additionally, it could be recommended as part of queer documentary series or LGBTQIA+ awareness programs organized by public libraries.
Director's Bio
Cecilia Del Valle studied at the Universidad del Cine in Buenos Aires (2005-2009). Teacher of the workshops “Introduction to Film Script “From Literature to Cinema” in the program of the National University of Rosario Literature degree. She studied Playwriting with Mauricio Kartun and Ariel Barchilón (2014-2018). Director and producer of Dilemmas of Abandonment (short film), Cinco (collective feature film), and Canela INCAA Documentary.
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Festival and Awards
- ZINEGOAK, Bilbao International LGBT Film & Performing Arts Festival; Spain
- VANDA DUARTE Women and Latinx Dissidences Film Festival; Argentina
- OUT & LOUD, Pune International Queer Film Festival; India
- "International Women's Film Festival Dortmund; GERMANY
- OutfestPerú, The International Gay, Lesbian Trans Film Festival of Lima; Peru
- Film Pride – Brighton & Hove Pride Queer Film Festival; UK
- KASHISH Mumbai International Film Festival; India
- Florence Queer Festival; Italy
- OUT at the Movies International Film Festival; US
- Festival Mix, Cinema and Sexual Diversity Festival; Mexico
- MIX COPENHAGEN LGBTQIA+ Film Festival; Denmark
- MIDBO, Bogota Documentary Film Festival; Colombia
- International Queer Film Festival Playa Del; Mexico
- Festival FILMAR in Latin America; Switzerland
- MCYTV, International Show of Women in Cinema and TV; Mexico
- Best Film & Audience Award Best Film – Rio Film Festival LGBTQIA+; Brazil
- Best Film – AMOR, LGBT+ International Film Festival; Chile
- Best Film, New Directors Competition – VLAFF, Vancouver Latin American Film Festival; Canada
- Special Mention – ASTERISCO International LGBTIQ+ Film Festival (special mention); Argentina
- BAFICI, Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival; Argentina