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Italy, Spain, France · 2001
1h 34m
Director Henrique Goldman
Starring Ingrid de Souza, Cesare Bocci, Mauro Pirovano, Roberta Nanni
Genre Drama, Romance
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The story of Fernanda, a 19-year-old Brazilian transsexual whose dream is to become a woman, find a husband, and lead the life of a "normal" housewife. Fernanda travels to Milan and works as a prostitute to raise money for a sex-change operation. On the streets, she is transformed into Princesa, a stylish and alluring hustler.
The New York Times by Dana Stevens
It could easily have become either prurient or moralistic, but Mr. Goldman's stance is that of a sympathetic observer, and his style combines ground-level realism with a touch of Almodóvarian extravagance.
New Times (L.A.) by David Ehrenstein
It's odd for a film to be both dramatically conventional yet emotionally bizarre at the same time, as this one is.
A thoughtful, restrained, refreshingly nonjudgmental melodrama that reflects on interesting questions regarding sexuality, identity and self-acceptance.
Unsettling in spots, Princesa ultimately glosses over the futility of Fernanda's plight, her misery rapidly erased.
New York Daily News by Elizabeth Weitzman
An evocative melancholy hangs over Princesa, Henrique Goldman's intermittently affecting tale.
This raw and raunchy drama from director Henrique Goldman offers what few feature films have ever bothered to attempt: a realistic, wholly sympathetic look at the lives of transgendered prostitutes.
Los Angeles Times by Kevin Thomas
The well-made Princesa is daring, for it ends on an upbeat note in circumstances that are traditionally treated otherwise.
An engaging and powerful portrayal of puberty gone awry.
The final result becomes a search not for a knight in shining armor, but one of acceptance for one's own identity.
Features abundant sex and nudity, yet it manages to tell its story (based on a real character) with great sensitivity.
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