Marilyn (2018)

AKA: –
Directed by: Martin Rodriguez Redondo
Starring: Walter Rodríguez (Marcos), Catalina Saavedra (Mother), Ignacio Giménez (Brother), Josefina Paredes (Laura), German de Silva (Father), Rodolfo García Werner (Facundo)
Country: Argentina, Chile; Effed Up South American Movies
Language: Spanish (Eng Subs); Effed Up Spanish Cinema
Runtime: 01:20:07
Genres: Based on a True Story, Gay-CrossDressing-Transsexual, Rape- against Men, Siblings-Family

Plot – Spoilers:
Based on a real-life incident involving an Argentinian transwoman, Marilyn Bernasconi.

In pastoral Argentina, Marcos lives with his older brother and parents on what seems to be a leased cattle ranch. He has cityesque ambitions and hopes to take some vague course in computers which those around believe is a ticket to a superior life. In this he is supported by his father who also happens to not care that Marcos shirks anything masculine.

His brother though, doesn’t get why Marcos shows no enthusiasm for the hard work that boys in their village normally engage in. But Marcos doesn’t care much for him – it’s his mother’s attention and approval that he hopelessly craves. He admires her dresses and wears them secretly while assisting her in grooming activities, all the while hoping they can bond over it. But she can’t seem to get past his odd sexuality and keeps a cold distance while firmly believing that this is all just an indulgence that he can be forcibly weaned away from.

Then there’s Laura, a female friend who drives Marcos around town on her moped and sometimes even drops him out of town for a gay encounter.

This is the life that Marilyn captures at a slow but interesting pace, right up until its climactic end.

Favorite Scenes:
I don’t think Marcos fully understood his older brother and just couldn’t see past the bullying. Shortly after his mother burns Marcos’ dresses, his older brother lies awake, watching him. It’s almost like he’s trying to figure out what his brother is all about, against everything he’s been culturally and socially been brought up to accept. Anyone who is not gay and has a family member who is, will probably identify with that moment.