Le favolose

2022, Antonia Iaia, Italian, Italy, Mizia Ciulini, Nicole De Leo, Porpora Marcasciano,

Director: Roberta Torre
Release Year: 2022
Title in English: The Fabulous Ones

Synopsis:

"Le Favolose" (2022), a documentary directed by Roberta Torre, is a poignant and politically charged exploration of the lives and identities of transgender women in Italy. The film delves into the struggles faced by transgender individuals, particularly in death, when their identities are often erased or denied by their families. The documentary, which beautifully blends elements of reality and fiction, is a tribute to the transgender community's resilience and a call for recognition and respect of their journeys. 

 

A disturbing phenomenon frequently occurs when transgender people pass away: they are often stripped of their chosen identities. In these cases, families, sometimes in shame or confusion, either refuse to acknowledge their loved ones’ gender identities or simply cannot come to terms with them. As a result, the funeral is held in secrecy, and the deceased is buried under the name they were assigned at birth, obliterating the path they had chosen to live. This fate befalls Antonia, a transgender woman whose memory is dishonored after her death when her family decides to bury her under her birth name, Giampaolo. However, her friends, who were once an integral part of her life, decide to honor her memory and fight for her rightful recognition. The film begins with a reunion of her closest friends who, years later, seek to reframe Antonia’s story by ensuring she is finally buried as the woman she was. They remember Antonia not only through her death but by celebrating the life she lived. 

 

The documentary weaves a narrative that combines the personal histories and experiences of its subjects, many of whom are drawn from the diverse transgender world. Through their voices, the film delves into their journeys, struggles, and triumphs. The setting—a once vibrant villa now dusty and abandoned—serves as the backdrop to these reunions. This villa, which was once a site of laughter, love, sorrow, and dreams, becomes the space where the women come together to relive their shared past, rekindle their spirits, and reclaim their identities. Torre’s film captures their stories in a rich, almost theatrical style, blending moments of humor with poignant reflections on loss, identity, and defiance. One of the key inspirations behind "Le Favolose" is Porpora Marcasciano, a prominent activist and president of the Movimento Identità Trans (MIT), whose writings profoundly influenced the narrative. The film draws upon her perspective on transgender identity, particularly focusing on the often-overlooked struggles faced by trans individuals after death, when their identities are often not recognized or respected. The film uses Antonia’s story to examine a pervasive social issue: the erasure of transgender identities by families who refuse to honor their loved ones as they lived. It is a widespread and painful practice in which transgender individuals, even in death, are forced to conform to societal norms and gender expectations. "Le Favolose" seeks to undo this erasure, to challenge societal conventions, and to honor Antonia as the woman she was, not as the person her family tried to reduce her to. 

 

In "Le Favolose", the camera follows the emotional and physical journey of five transgender women as they gather to honor their late friend. Nicole, one of Antonia’s closest friends, is the catalyst for this reunion. She finds a letter from Antonia in which her last wishes are revealed, including her desire to be buried in a green dress, a symbol of her femininity and hope. Nicole enlists the help of Porpora and other friends—Sofia, Veet, and Mizia—to organize a reunion in the villa where they once lived and loved together. The film alternates between moments of pure nostalgia and real emotional depth, as each woman shares fragments of their personal stories. The recollections are often bittersweet, filled with joy but also tinged with pain. They speak of the harsh realities of transitioning, of the discrimination they’ve faced, and of the relationships they’ve had with their families. Some of these stories are full of humor, while others reveal the underlying tragedy of living in a society that fails to accept them for who they are. What emerges is a powerful meditation on the transgender experience, focusing not just on the outward struggles but on the deep emotional and spiritual toll of living as a transgender individual in a world that too often seeks to erase them. The film depicts transgender people as complex, multifaceted individuals with lives rich in love, loss, humor, and dignity. 

 

At its core, "Le Favolose" is a celebration of transgender sisterhood, resilience, and defiance. Through the process of remembering Antonia and the other women’s stories, the documentary uncovers a unique bond that transcends societal rejection and violence. These women, who once faced the cruelest of social judgments, find strength in each other. As they share their stories, the camera focuses on the subtle gestures that highlight their femininity, from the softness of their voices to the elegance of their hands, which have become symbols of defiance and political acts in their own right. The documentary also tackles the ongoing struggle for transgender rights, with each woman underscoring the importance of asserting their right to define their own gender. Veet, one of the film’s key figures, poignantly sums up this defiance: "My body is a political act. Every time I leave my house, I expose myself to judgment, criticism, and violence." The film’s exploration of transgender identity is raw, powerful, and unapologetic, making it a poignant tribute to the courage of those who fight for their right to live as their authentic selves. 

 

"Le Favolose" is a film about memory—about reclaiming and preserving the lives of transgender people who have often been erased by society. The women in the film refuse to allow Antonia’s memory to be lost or obscured. Instead, they give her the funeral she deserved, surrounded by the people who truly understood and loved her. The film highlights the importance of representation, particularly for marginalized communities. By bringing these transgender women into the spotlight and showing their lives in all their complexity, Roberta Torre challenges the stereotypes and misconceptions that often define transgender individuals in mainstream media. The documentary speaks not only to the need for social change but to the importance of personal recognition and the right to define one's own identity. In a world that often demands conformity, "Le Favolose" stands as a testament to the beauty and power of self-determination. It is a celebration of the trans community’s struggles and triumphs, a reminder that no one should be robbed of their identity, whether in life or death. The film challenges its audience to reflect on how society treats transgender individuals and how, together, we can create a world where everyone’s identity is respected and honored. 

 

In closing, "Le Favolose" is not just a documentary—it is a call to action. It demands that we acknowledge the lives of transgender people, both during their lives and after their deaths. The film invites the audience to step into the world of these remarkable women, to understand their struggles, and to witness their resilience. It is a work of art, a work of memory, and a work of justice. It reminds us that identity is a fundamental right, and no one should be denied the dignity of living and dying as their true selves.

 

via: youtube

movieplayer.it and cinematografo.it
unopeliculas.com

Image credits: YouTube