One of the best trans films you’ve likely never heard of, Antonio Giménez-Rico’s landmark 1983 documentary Dressed in Blue (Vestida de Azul) explores the lives and loves of a group of six transgender women living in Madrid in the years following Spain’s transition to democracy. But more than that, it’s a loving portrait of a culture finally emerging from the shadows after being hidden for far too long. Antonio’s portrait of these women gave them the freedom to portray their own stories with their own friends & family, but in a stylised, scripted narrative framework with gorgeous cinematography by Teo Escamilla. The stories of Eva, Nacha, Loren, Josette, Reneé and Tamara were never released outside of Spain and never available on home video, but finally Altered Innocence and Anus Films is proud to present this vital testament to just how far we’ve come—and how far there’s still left to go.
Trigger warnings: Contains scenes with explicit sex, nudity, homophobic and transphobic slurs, police abuse and graphic depiction of surgery.
Introduction and Q&A by Dr Juan Martínez Gil and Dr Elena Martínez Acacio (Society of Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom)
Director: Antonio Giménez-Rico
Cast: Loren Arana, Renée Amor, Nacha Sánchez, Eva Pérez, Tamara Muñoz
Duration: 99 minutes
Languages: Spanish
Genre: Documentary
Country: Spain
Certificate: 18
Awards: 1983 Chicago International Film Festival | Best Feature: Antonio Giménez Rico (Nominated).
