A Fantastic Woman is Argentine – Chilean director Sebastián Lelio’s Chilean movie about Marina, a waitress and singer who is planning a future with her older boyfriend Orlando. When he dies suddenly after a night of celebration together, she is confronted in mourning by his family and by a society that wants to strip her of her identity.
A Fantastic Woman
The movie stars Daniela Vega as Marina and Francisco Reyes as her boyfriend Orlando. Vega is an amazing actress who is in her global breakout moment.
It’s a clever backstory for examining the death by a thousand cuts that we suffer in life when we are unable to be who we are.
There is nothing worse than the sudden loss of a loved one. You are in shock, and everywhere you go, everything you do, reminds you of your lost love. It takes some real strength of character to rise above such a loss.
All of this is made worse by the rejection of her boyfriend’s family. She was the love of his life. It’s hard to mourn alone, especially while you are being stripped of your identity.
Sebastián Lelio
Chile has a potent film industry and Sebastián Lelio is one of its bright lights. He is best known for Gloria (2013). Lelio is was born in Mendoza, Argentina and moved to Chile with his Chilean mother when he was two years old.
Lelio wrote the screenplay with Gonzalo Maza.
Daniela Vega
Daniela Vega is an actress from San Miguel, Santiago, Chile who was born with an operatic singing voice. She is also a natural actress. Vega credits her blind grandmother for teaching her to listen.
Vega’s breakthrough was an appearance in Manuel García’s video Maria. She was originally a consultant on A Fantastic Woman. After his conversations with Vega, Lelio cast her in the lead role.
Francisco Reyes
Francisco Reyes is an actor from Santiago, Chile. He is best known for Dónde está Elisa? (2009), Vuelve Temprano (2014) and The Club (2015).
A Fantastic Woman Film Festivals
Berlin International Film Festival
The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival (2017). It was nominated for Best Film and won Best Feature Film, a Silver Bear for Best Screenplay, and a Special Mention.
San Sebastián International Film Festival
The film was nominated for Best Film. It won Best Latin American Film.
Toronto International Film Festival
Telluride Film Festival
A Fantastic Woman Awards
I love this image. It is how the city feels after a great loss. All is dirty and cold. It feels like the entire universe is against you.
Academy Awards
The film is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Golden Globes
The film was nominated for for Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language.
A Fantastic Woman in New York City
Opening
A Fantastic Woman opened at Angelika Film Center in Greenwich Village, Cinépolis Chelsea, and the Walter Reade Theater at Film Society of Lincoln Center on Friday, February 2, 2018.
Now Playing
In the week Friday – Thursday, May 4 – 10, A Fantastic Woman is now playing at:
- Village East Cinema in Manhattan’s East Village