Manolita, la Chen de Arcos

Manolita Chen became in the mid-eighties the first Spanish transsexual mother who managed to adopt. Through the documentary she tells us about that process, as well as her experiences as a transgressive woman at a time when Spain was not yet socially or legally advanced. We discover a life full of bitterness but without rancor in between, where she nostalgically recalls her facet as a businesswoman and vedette, gradually managing to integrate into her hometown, Arcos de la Frontera, where she currently enjoys the affection and approval of her relatives and neighbors.

Directed by Valeria Vegas, Manolita, la Chen de Arcos leans on a strong ensemble — Manolita Chen — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2016.