Canela

Director: Cecilia del Valle
Release Year: 2020

Canela (2020), directed by Cecilia del Valle, is a poignant documentary that delves into the life of Canela Grandi, a 62-year-old trans woman, architect, and educator from Rosario, Argentina. At the age of 48, Canela made the life-altering decision to come out as a trans woman, embarking on a deeply personal journey that would reshape her identity and challenge societal norms. The film captures this transformative process, exploring her daily life and the emotional landscapes she navigates as she consults with friends, family, and professionals, working through the complexities of her transition. The documentary provides an intimate yet observational look into her life, framed by the rich imagery of the Argentinian city she calls home.

 

The film is marked by its balance of intimacy and distance, capturing Canela in various situations that reflect both the mundane and the profound aspects of her life. Del Valle, reflecting on the creation of Canela, draws a parallel to a book she read about sculpture, which suggested that "what we look at looks back at us." For the director, there is a profound responsibility in how we observe and engage with the world. She hopes the audience approaches the film with an open mind, ready to listen to the story unfolding on screen without being influenced by preconceived ideas. At the heart of the documentary is Canela’s openness in sharing her thoughts and experiences. Whether conversing with a therapist, chatting with a friend, or engaging with her children and students, Canela’s dialogues are filled with moments of reflection and change. These conversations are not simply exchanges of ideas; they are explorations of identity, desire, fear, and transformation. Del Valle emphasizes that the importance of these interactions lies not in reinforcing what we already know, but in discovering something new together, as a shared experience.

 

In essence, Canela is a warm, heartfelt portrait of a life in flux, as its protagonist confronts the challenges of identity, transition, and belonging. The title, “Cinnamon,” is a fitting one for Canela Grandi, as the documentary offers a glimpse into her rich, complex world - a life filled with nuance, warmth, and the universal human desire for change. The film begins by introducing Canela as a successful architect and educator in Rosario, with three children and a relatively stable life. However, her transformation was not without its difficulties. Canela made the decision to begin her transition at the age of 48, a period of her life when most people are not typically confronting such profound changes. It was this decision that led her to cross paths with Cecilia del Valle, a meeting that would mark the beginning of their collaboration. Their friendship blossomed from shared political and social activism, and when the opportunity arose to document Canela’s journey, she welcomed the chance to share her story with the world.

 

For Canela, the film became an opportunity to present her transition from a perspective not focused on youthful sexuality, but rather through a gendered lens shaped by life experience. She hoped that the film would depict her story in an accessible and empathetic way, one that would show her not as an object of desire but as a full, complex person. By sharing her experience with a broader audience, Canela hoped to spark dialogue about gender identity and open minds to the possibilities of transition at any stage of life. One of the most striking aspects of Canela’s story is her recognition of the unique nature of her situation. While she acknowledges that her experience as a trans woman - middle-aged, educated, and relatively stable - may not represent the majority of trans people, she remains hopeful that her story can inspire others. Canela believes that for many trans individuals, especially those who are young or struggling with poverty, her story serves as a beacon of hope. She emphasizes the importance of education, opportunity, and the possibility of transformation, and she hopes that her example will encourage others to pursue their dreams, regardless of their gender identity. 

 

At the same time, Canela is acutely aware of the challenges faced by many trans people who do not share her relative stability, highlighting the deep inequalities that continue to affect the trans community, particularly in Argentina. Director Cecilia del Valle echoes this sentiment, acknowledging Canela’s status as “a minority within a minority.” As a trans woman from a middle-class background, Canela’s story stands in stark contrast to the struggles faced by many trans people, who often grapple with poverty, marginalization, and discrimination. Nevertheless, her story remains one of resilience and empowerment, offering a glimpse into the potential for personal growth and self-actualization, even in the face of societal barriers. By documenting Canela’s journey, del Valle seeks to bring visibility to a trans experience that is rarely seen on screen - a woman who, after nearly fifty years, has the courage to embrace her true identity and live life on her own terms. The film was originally selected to screen at the Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival (Bafici) in 2020, a prestigious event that was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

However, the film found new meaning in the wake of the global crisis. Del Valle and Canela decided to release the film through an online platform, with a portion of the proceeds going to support the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans individuals affected by the pandemic. This initiative reflected the film’s commitment to social solidarity and advocacy for marginalized groups, an aspect of the project that resonated deeply with both the filmmakers and the community. In the documentary, viewers witness Canela in various settings: with her children and grandchildren at home, in her office consulting with a therapist, and at the university, where she teaches architecture to a new generation of students. In each of these scenes, Canela's passion for architecture shines through, particularly in her advocacy for organic architecture - a philosophy that prioritizes the human experience of space over rigid, rationalist approaches to design. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion extends beyond her gender identity; it is embedded in her professional life, where she challenges conventional norms and encourages students to think critically about the spaces they create.

 

As Canela reflects on her life, she expresses the profound sense of loss she experienced when she left behind her career as a successful architect designing commercial projects. Her clients, mostly wealthy businessmen, were replaced by younger couples seeking residential designs with a more personal, human-centered approach. This shift in clientele mirrors her own personal transformation, as she transitions from a world dominated by corporate interests to one that is more attuned to her true self. Despite the challenges and sacrifices, Canela finds fulfillment in her current life, where authenticity and integrity are her guiding principles. For Canela, the greatest lesson she has learned through her journey is that integrity is the ultimate currency in life. The losses she endured, both professionally and personally, were significant, but they were not insurmountable. What remains, she says, is the knowledge that she has stayed true to herself - a lesson that she hopes will resonate with others facing their own struggles with identity, gender, and self-acceptance.

 

In conclusion, Canela is more than just a documentary about a trans woman’s journey - it is a reflection on the nature of identity, resilience, and the power of personal transformation. It is a film that invites viewers to reflect on their own lives, their own biases, and the world around them. Through Canela Grandi’s story, Cecilia del Valle captures the beauty of change, the courage of living authentically, and the importance of solidarity and compassion in a time of crisis.

 

via: youtube

 frauenfilmfest.com and imdb and agenciapresentes.org

Image credits: YouTube