Ellas

2020, Álex Saint, Carmen García de Merlo, Lola Rodríguez, Miriam Amaya, Spain, Spanish, Valeria Vegas,

Director: Pilar Monsell
Release Year: 2020

Synopsis:

"Ellas" (2020), directed by Pilar Monsell, is a groundbreaking documentary that presents a powerful and intimate portrait of five Spanish trans women from diverse generations. This film explores their experiences, challenges, and personal journeys toward self-realization, providing a platform for them to share their voices and perspectives. Through their stories, the documentary highlights how there are as many ways to be a woman as there are women in the world. The five women featured—Miryam Amaya Jiménez, Carmen García de Merlo, Lola Rodríguez, Álex Saint, and Valeria Vegas—each bring a unique viewpoint shaped by their individual lives, yet they share a common bond of resilience in the face of societal rejection and personal transformation. 

 

The year 2020 marked a pivotal point in the representation of transgender women in Spanish media, especially in their fight for dignity, equality, and freedom from stigma. Following the immense success of the series "Veneno", produced by the Javis (Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi), which portrayed the life of the iconic Cristina Ortiz, "Ellas" emerged as a documentary that delves into five distinct yet interconnected narratives of transgender women. Each of these women has navigated the complexities of their identity, and their stories reflect the courage required to live authentically in a world that often marginalizes them. In one poignant moment, Cristina Ortiz, known as La Veneno, shares her deepest fear in an interview with Valeria Vegas: ""I'm going to lose my mother, and I'm going to lose my friends. The rejection from them""—a sentiment that echoes the emotional turmoil many transgender individuals face when they reveal their true selves to the world. Ortiz's words were a turning point, not only for her but for others who followed in her footsteps, encouraging them to share their own experiences. For Valeria Vegas, who became one of Ortiz’s greatest admirers, the transformation of La Veneno into an empowered woman was a source of inspiration. "I saw in her an empowered woman when it seemed that women couldn’t empower themselves. She gave me security, she gave me courage," Vegas reflects.

 

Through this documentary, "Ellas" offers cisgender audiences a rare opportunity to gain insight into lives far removed from their own, yet essential for everyone to understand. Carmen García de Merlo, the president of the Madrid-based LGBT collective COGAM, shares how, during the 1970s, many parents were lost when their children came out as transgender. "Parents’ associations were lost because they didn’t know what to do with their children," she says, offering a glimpse into the societal ignorance of the time. Despite the violence and oppression transgender women have faced, "Ellas" also highlights stories of strength. Miryam Amaya, a pioneer of the LGBT pride movement in Spain, speaks about enduring double discrimination—first as a Roma woman and then as a transgender woman. "I am what you see, not what you think," she asserts, a declaration of defiance against the prejudice she has encountered throughout her life. The documentary also includes the voices of younger transgender women from Generation Z, such as Lola Rodríguez (known for her role in "Veneno"), who reflects on her experience with bullying. She recalls how, even as a child, she understood that the hatred directed toward her came from ignorance. "I knew it came from ignorance. They insulted me the way they insult anyone who’s different." 

 

Alex Saint, a makeup artist and actress who also appears in "Veneno", encapsulates the essence of the documentary in one simple yet powerful statement: "I compare my life now to my life before, and even with the bad things, I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world." This sentiment captures the core message of "Ellas"—the journey of being true to oneself, despite the challenges. The documentary not only seeks to dismantle myths like the notion of "being born in the wrong body", but also strives to inspire other women to embrace their true selves, offering a sense of belonging and empowerment. ""Strengths and Shortcomings of the Documentary"" One of the documentary's greatest strengths lies in the diversity of the women it showcases. The film avoids the pitfalls of generalization, instead focusing on the authenticity and individuality of each subject. Their stories are not just reflections of personal struggle but also exemplify a collective movement toward visibility and equality. However, the documentary's relatively brief runtime leaves the viewer yearning for a deeper exploration of the subjects’ stories. While the film succeeds in introducing the characters and their struggles, a longer duration could have allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of their life experiences and struggles.

 

The setting of "Ellas" is both serene and striking. Against the backdrop of trees and lakeside views, five transgender women engage in a summer picnic, sharing their experiences and reflecting on the battles they’ve fought to be accepted in a world that has often been hostile. Through rich, colorful visuals and intimate sequences, the documentary immerses the viewer in their conversations. These scenes not only highlight the warmth and camaraderie between the women but also allow for moments of vulnerability as they recount their journeys. The documentary captures their daily lives through a series of long, carefully crafted shots and poignant phone conversations with their loved ones, providing an even more intimate look at their struggles and triumphs. 

 

Among the central figures in "Ellas" are:

•  Carmen García de Merlo: A Spanish lawyer, nurse, and civil servant, who became the first transgender woman to lead COGAM, an LGBT rights group. Carmen’s transition at the age of 54 was a turning point in her life, marked by her courageous step toward authenticity. Her leadership in COGAM and her activism for transgender rights have made her an influential figure in Spain’s LGBT community.
•  Miryam Amaya: A trailblazer in the LGBT pride movement and an advocate for the rights of transgender people. Amaya’s life has been shaped by her experiences as both a Roma woman and a transgender individual. She is known for her pioneering role in raising awareness for the transgender community in Spain.
•  Lola Rodríguez: An actress and activist, Rodríguez gained fame for her portrayal of a young Valeria Vegas in "Veneno". Her early identification as a transgender woman and her involvement in activism reflect her commitment to breaking down societal barriers and promoting LGBT visibility.
•  Álex Saint: A makeup artist and actress, known for her role in "Veneno". Álex's reflections in the documentary encapsulate the personal growth and resilience of many young transgender individuals today.
•  Valeria Vegas: A journalist, writer, and producer, Vegas became known for her work on the "Veneno" series and her commitment to telling the stories of transgender women. Her books, including "Vestidas de azul" (which inspired the documentary), have contributed to the visibility and recognition of transgender experiences in Spain. 

 

"Ellas" (2020) is a poignant, visually stunning documentary that delves into the lives of five transgender women in Spain, exploring their struggles, triumphs, and the complex dynamics of gender identity. With its rich narrative and intimate portrayal, the film serves as both a mirror and a window, reflecting the realities of these women while offering cisgender audiences a chance to better understand lives that have long been marginalized. While the film leaves some questions unanswered due to its concise format, it remains an essential contribution to the ongoing conversation about transgender rights, representation, and the power of being true to oneself.

 

via: dailymotion.com

wikipedia wikipedia wikipedia wikipedia
imdb and loslunesseriefilos.com

Image credits: dailymotion