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Canela cover image

Canela 2020

Recommended

Distributed by epf media, 324 S. Beverly Drive, PMB 437, Beverly Hills, CA 90212; 310-839-1500
Produced by Cecilia Del Valle
Directed by Cecilia Del Valle
Streaming, 77 mins



College
Health; LGBTQIA+; Transgenderism

Date Entered: 07/02/2024

Reviewed by Johnnie N. Gray, Technology Services Librarian, Christopher Newport University

Canela is a documentary that focuses on the how one person must grapple with being their authentic self and making hard decisions. At 48, Canela decided to start transitioning with the support of her trans wife. Although clothes and makeup are a start, taking hormones makes the transition start to become encouraging, so Canela must decide if she wants to have surgery to fulfill the goal of becoming “authentic”. During the documentary, we follow Canela as she teaches, works as a lead architect and navigates the hurdles of trans healthcare. We witness her as she visits her children and discusses possible financial implications of not being able to work and support them. She seeks out help from a friend and even visits a church service to find solace. Canela means "cinnamon", which is quite fitting as early images of Canela before her transition, show her as a ruggedly handsome man who is now delicate and nuanced.

One highlight includes watching Canela professing ideas of Frank Lloyd Wright to her students as they intently absorb everything she says. Intimate storytelling by way of editing and filmmaking, makes the viewer feel they are not intruding, but watching the time unfold at Canela’s pace.

Recommended for college and general adult viewing due to nuanced themes, rather than focused moments of trans life. A bit slow-paced, but engaging and heartfelt at times.

Awards:
Best Film & Audience Award Best Film, Rio Film Festival LGBTQIA+, Brazil; Best Film, AMOR, LGBT+ International Film Festival, Chile; Best Film, New Directors Competition, VLAFF, Vancouver Latin American Film Festival, Canada; Special Mention, ASTERISCO International LGBTIQ+ Film, Argentina

Published and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Anyone can use these reviews, so long as they comply with the terms of the license.