This is a remake and adaptation directed by Fernando González Molina from the original 1972 Spanish film directed by Jaime de Armiñán, starring José Luis López Vásquez, made,  inexplicably,  under the Francisco Franco regime.  The film deals with the delicate and complex subject matter of intersexuality.

Set in Pamplona, Navarra  it shows the conservative social environment of the Spanish society devoted to religion.  In 1973, a baby, the only child of a Catholic family,  was born with a physical difference. The father feels ashamed, and the mother is determined that the newborn will have a “normal” life as a girl. After the advice of their doctor,  as an act of love, parents decide what they think is best for the baby. However, their decision comes with consequences.

Adela (Elisabeth Martinez) grew up taking estrogens since her teenage years. She doesn´t feel comfortable with physical contact/touching, and is aware she doesn´t get her period as girls from her age, to name one of the visible differences; at 26, she hasn´t ever visited a gynecologist. Taking into account that, she is a very private person with suspicions about her body. She teaches at school, and is a religiously devoted member of the family and the community (one with XVI Century ideas where she is known as “La Caballo”) additionally she works at the restoration /antique shop her father owns.  She also gets the love and attention of her grandmother.

Luckily for Adela, her path crosses that of Father José María (Paco León), a progressive young priest with a past of his own and fresh ideas in mind, with whom she feels comfortable and drinks beer.  Plus, there is Isabel (Anna Castillo) a young physiotherapist to whom Adela feels attracted to. Adela´s immediate family provides love and financial security, but there are painful silences and denial issues that motivate her to look for answers to her questions.

After finding out about her intersex condition, she decides to move from Navarra to Madrid in the year 2000, to learn about herself and life. The big city awaits her, and new acquaintances embrace her, among them an unrecognizable Manu Ríos who shines as Gato.  To follow Adela´s steps you have to watch the film.   

This updated version of a Spanish film that resonates today, since  Intersexuality is a topic that is little known and even less discussed, despite there being as many people who are intersexual as there are redheads. 

Premiered on Netflix recently.