Princesa

Princesca is a film which shows a more realistic view of what people who are trans gender go through. The film is based on the true story of Fernanda Farias de Albuquerque who was a transsexual who moved to Milan to have a sex change operation. The film stays true to the story and right from the beginning the film it shows the harsh reality that conflicts with the stereotypical Hollywood films. The film definitely has more of a dark and gloomy feel throughout. In addition the film has some styles about it that make it almost seem as if it is more of a documentary then a fictional story.

The movie is made better through the main actress Ingrid de Souza. She plays the part very well and even though some of the characters qualities are not very easily understood, the audience can still little by little come to understand and know the character of Fernanda through Ingrid's work.

The film also touches on the differences between transsexuals and transvestites. These differences can be seen through the characters of Cholla and Fernanda. This film is most definitely not a happy uplifting film. It portrays the real life struggles that actual people go through. All of the actors do a great job of bringing the story to life and the cinematography and lighting and sound also help to make this film a very good piece. If you are a fan of more serious dramatic films that deal with lesser seen topics such as transsexuals or transvestites, I believe you would like this film.

"Princesa" can be a tough film to watch. It is a film about a "travesti" from Brazil who becomes a prostitute in Italy in order to pay for her surgery.

But the path she treads isn't an easy one. As you watch this film, you have to wonder if this is the same kind of thing that happens to most of the people in her same situation. Is this the tough reality they must face? A lot of the most powerful scenes are built around exactly that kind of thing and it often feels as if the film slows down at these moments just so the viewer can take it all in with a bit of extra time to think about it all.

This film is definitely not for everyone. While it is a good film to try and understand the kind of trials transgender people have to face to get what they want, a way to be accepted by society through a sex change surgery, there are many scenes that depict what some would consider graphic interpretations of prostitution. Other than that, I highly recommend this film, as it gives us a view of one of the most underrepresented demographics in all of cinema.

I loved the movie as well. It was honest, beautifully written, shot, scored, and casted.

I really liked the protagonist, the he and the she. I disagree with one of the posters that it was sad. Yes, some things didn't work out, but the protagonist still moves on with a hope and a dream that is still in tack. Life is often not perfect, but still, there is beauty in it, just as the policeman said as he so tactfully took the protagonist down from a roof in Milan.

Ingrid De Souza is romantic & real & gorgeous !

And singer AUWE's version of "Estate" sung at the closing credits made me swoon!

Speaking as a conservative (but with some liberal leanings), I absolutely recommend this movie to any viewer regardless of how conservative (or liberal) his/her social views may be.

It's a heartfelt love story with a twist! You'll like it, I promise.

As many readers know, I was heavily influenced in foreign film by a small channel in Los Angeles during the 1980's called the "Z" channel. Up until that time, I had never seen foreign films or considered them as entertainment. The channel is gone, but this would have been one of the films they would have shown. I say this because this film is not widely shown on cable channels and you have to be lucky to catch it.

The central character, Princessa was from South America and was trying to find out whom Princessa as a transsexual was - and it's NOT a pretty road to do so. There's always someone taking advantage while you're trying to be who you are. Princessa travels to Milan to be something she always thought she should be and finding out "to thine own self be true".

I found this story sad and moving and probably a very hard story to tell -- and once more, a story that others may be going through. This film is not for everyone, but a brave move to tell a story -- warts and all.