[yasr_overall_rating]
Marina, a transsexual woman who works as a waitress and moonlights as a nightclub singer, is bowled over by the death of her older boyfriend.
On Marina’s birthday, beau Orlando (Francisco Reyes) takes her out for a romantic evening of dinner, dancing, and a gift of a surprise vacation. After a perfect evening together they arrive home to Orlando’s apartment where he awakes in the middle of the night feeling ill. Panic-stricken, Marina (Daniela Vega) does all she can to rush Orlando to the hospital where he ultimately passes away due to an aneurysm. Marina is immediately under suspicion by the doctors and his family. The only source of condolence she receives is from Orlando’s brother, Gabo (Luis Gnecco).
She is visited at the cafe where she works as a waitress, by a female detective, who fears she was a victim of sexual assault. Marina is forced to comply with a physical examination where it is revealed that Marina is actually a transgender male named, Daniel.
Now we understand all the suspicion surrounding the seemingly happy couple, while the family desperately tries to hide Orlando’s dark secret. Marina is kicked out of Orlando’s apartment she was in the process of moving into, her dog, Diabla, is taken by Orlando’s family, and she is shamed by her so-called perversions. Marina is asked not to attend the funeral out of respect for his family and young daughter, however, she feels she has the right to say goodbye Orlando. Her appearance is considered an insult to the family and as she is walking home, is kidnapped by Orlando’s son, beaten, and left battered in an alley.
She has to find her inner strength and refuses to be mistreated or be ashamed of who she is. Marina faces the same struggles we all do. The right to be yourself and be proud of who you are, whatever that may be. “A Fantastic Woman” ultimately transforms tragedy to triumph, and Marina is, in fact, a fantastic woman. A stellar and compelling performance by Daniela Vega, this film has been nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Film category.
Now playing in select theaters
