by Ilich Mejía
Since screening at Berlinale earlier this year, and now at TIFF and Telluride, A Fantastic Woman (Una Mujer Fantástica in Spanish) has been generating very positive talk. It is Sebastián Lelio's follow up to 2013's wonderful and under-appreciated Gloria. The film stars trans actress Daniela Vega as a waitress mourning her lover in what looks like will be another queer classic from this year.
Watch the trailer and let's discuss the Yes No and Maybe So of it all after the jump...
Let that stunner sink in and let's break it down...
YES
- Even though this is her first leading role, Daniela Vega seems to naturally light up a frame in a way that could really pay off for her and the film.
- Speaking of, cinematographer Benajmín Echazarreta, who also shot Gloria, is doing beautiful things with the Chilean nightclub scene and his subjects.
- Just from the trailer, we can see how the film will not shy from confronting the gender politics that come to affect so many people society tries to shelf away. It will provoke a thoughtful, necessary conversation that places like Latin America could take lots from.
- Millenial pink title card!
NO
- Apologies if this headline was misleading, but we have nothing to file here.
MAYBE SO
- The only maybes this trailer inspires are related to its Oscar chances. If Chile picks it as their Foreign Film submission, the nomination is very likely with Toni Erdmann's Maren Ade, Jackie's Pablo Larraín, and Lelio himself behind it as producers.
- Vega has a promising chance to make history if she is nominated for Best Actress. She would be the first trans woman to be nominated in that category, which is a timely opportunity given the current political climate and television's "woke" encouragement.
You know where we stand, but are you a yes, a no, or a maybe so? Share your thoughts on Fantástica!