InterAction: My Dearest Señorita: A Masterpiece Uncovered
Michael Barnett OAM
My Dearest Señorita: A Masterpiece Uncovered
-A Review and Reflection by Margie McCumstie
Netflix's latest offering in Australia, My Dearest Señorita, directed by Fernando González Molina, represents more than just a remake of the 1972 Oscar-nominated Spanish classic – it's a significant moment for intersex representation in cinema. What makes this film particularly noteworthy is Molina's decision to cast Elisabeth Martínez, an intersex actor with lived experience, in the lead role of Adela. This casting choice alone elevates the film beyond mere entertainment into something more culturally significant.
The Journey Under the Surface
Adela's work as a fine arts painting restorer serves as a powerful metaphor for her personal journey. As she meticulously removes the shadows of time to reveal the masterpieces beneath, she simultaneously uncovers layers of her own identity hidden by years of secrecy, shame, religious and societal expectations. The film opens with Adela as a baby with her parents. Her father struggles to cope with his daughter who has been born different, while her mother dotes on her, intent on giving her a good life once she has had the operation she “needs”. We then see Adela, in her 20s, living a sheltered life in Pamplona, teaching catechism and working in her family's antique shop, completely unaware of the truth about her intersex nature that has been concealed from her since birth.
What resonates deeply is how the film captures the universal human experience of self-discovery while centring an intersex narrative. Adela's story – one of betrayal, confusion, and eventual acceptance, mirrors countless journeys of self-realisation, yet it does so with the specificity that comes from authentic representation. The film doesn't rush this process; instead, it allows viewers to sit with Adela's discomfort, her moments of clarity, and her gradual understanding of who she truly is.
Representation and Responsibility
As with any film featuring intersex themes, there's an inherent responsibility to represent the community authentically. Yet as we know from real life, no single story can possibly capture the full diversity of the intersex experience. Each person's journey is unique, though often sharing common threads of secrecy, shame, and stigma. My Dearest Señorita explores these themes with remarkable sensitivity, showing how they impact one woman's life without claiming to speak for all intersex people.
The film does present some narrative choices that could potentially confuse viewers unfamiliar with intersex experiences. Adela's exploration of gender expression and identity might lead some to conflate being intersex with transgender experiences. This is a distinction that is crucial but not always clearly articulated in the film. Additionally, the narrative suggests that acceptance is primarily found within LGBTQ and disabled communities, potentially implying that "conventional" family structures remain out of reach for intersex individuals.
However, these choices must be understood in the context of this woman's journey. Intersectionality does exist, and sometimes intersex individuals explore gender expression and identity within their own journeys. Adela's innate variation of sex characteristics is not defined in the film and it didn't need to be. However, the paternal grandmother sharing about Adela's two aunts who were tall and childless implied that there was a hereditary link. I don't claim to know all there is about every variation, but the link would potentially have been more likely on the maternal side, considering the details disclosed in the film. Adela's grandmother also talks about the benefits of not getting married when she shares that both aunts were single for their whole life. This is a common preconception – especially in traditional and religious-based societies – but I would hate a young intersex viewer to assume that this would be the truth for their life as well.
We do not see resolution to some aspects of Adela's life within the film's narrative journey, as the film refuses to tie up the story with a neat bow, recognising that life rarely provides such tidy resolutions. The open-ended conclusion respects the complexity of identity exploration rather than forcing artificial closure.
A Conversation with Cinema History
When examining how intersex stories are told in film, My Dearest Señorita offers an interesting contrast to 2024's Conclave. In Conclave, the intersex storyline emerged near the film's conclusion, serving as a plot twist revelation about the incoming pope. In contrast, My Dearest Señorita establishes Adela's intersex status from the opening moments, making it an integral part of who she is. Being intersex was a small, but significant part of the incoming pope in Conclave. Likewise, Adela is not defined solely by her intersex variation – she's a complete person with dreams, struggles, relationships, and artistic sensibilities.
I recall that when Conclave was released, some intersex reviewers expressed concern that insufficient time was dedicated to exploring what intersex actually means and what the lived experience entails. These accusations expect that films with intersex characters must give "teachable moments". I wouldn't be surprised if similar concerns arise about My Dearest Señorita, particularly regarding the potential confusion between intersex and transgender experiences or the suggestion that acceptance only comes within "alternative lifestyle" communities.
Yet I find myself disagreeing with such criticisms on both fronts. Representation in media is inherently about individual stories, not comprehensive education. The fact that Adela's journey intersects with LGBTQ spaces doesn't negate the possibility of finding acceptance elsewhere – it simply reflects her specific circumstances and the communities that welcomed her during a vulnerable time.
The Power of Authentic Casting
What truly sets My Dearest Señorita apart is its commitment to authentic representation. Casting Elisabeth Martínez, an intersex actor, in the lead role transforms what could have been an endosex actor's performance into something profoundly personal. Martínez brings a lived understanding to Adela's experiences that cannot be replicated by someone without that direct connection.
This choice reflects a broader shift in the industry toward casting people from marginalised communities in roles that reflect their own experiences. It's not just about representation for its own sake, but about allowing these stories to be told with the authenticity that comes from personal understanding. The result is a performance that feels raw, honest, and deeply human.
Beyond Intersex Lived Experience: A Film for Everyone
While My Dearest Señorita centres an intersex narrative, its themes of self-discovery, family betrayal, and finding one's place in the world resonate universally. The film explores how our identities and understanding of ourselves are shaped by the expectations of others – family, community, religion – and the courage required to define ourselves on our own terms.
The late 1990s setting provides an interesting context, placing Adela's journey at the cusp of the new millennium. This historical moment, with its own sense of impending change and transformation, mirrors Adela's personal evolution. The absence of modern internet access means her discovery of self must come through direct experience rather than digital research, making her journey more tactile and immediate.
Conclusion: A Film That Stays With You
My Dearest Señorita may not be in the Top 10 of movies viewed on Netflix this week or next, but it is a gem that will be shared about over coffees and recommended to friends. Like the paintings Adela restores, the film reveals its beauty gradually, allowing viewers to discover its layers at their own pace. It contains both grief and joy, vulnerability and strength, confusion and clarity.
In a media landscape where intersex representation remains rare, this film offers something precious: a chance to see an intersex character portrayed with authenticity, complexity, and humanity. While no single film can capture the full diversity of intersex experiences, My Dearest Señorita contributes meaningfully to our understanding by showing one person's journey with honesty and respect.
The film's greatest strength lies in its refusal to provide easy answers or tidy resolutions. Instead, it invites viewers to sit with ambiguity, to appreciate the beauty of ongoing self-discovery, and to recognise that our identities are not fixed destinations but continuous journeys. In doing so, My Dearest Señorita uncovers not just a masterpiece beneath the grime of time, but the masterpiece that is each person's authentic self.
(Please note that the thoughts and opinions shared are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of InterAction for Health and Human Rights.)