Elisa & Marcela (2019)

In 1901, Elisa Sanchez Loriga took on the identity of Mario Sánchez to marry her lover of fifteen years, Marcela Gracia Ibeas.

Director:

Isabel Coixet

Writers:

Isabel Coixet (screenplay by), Narciso de Gabriel (based on the literary essay by)

Stars:

Natalia de Molina, Greta Fernández, Sara Casasnovas

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Natalia de Molina	...	Elisa Sánchez Loriga
Greta Fernández	...	Marcela Gracia Ibeas
Sara Casasnovas	...	Ana
Tamar Novas	...	Andrés
Lluís Homar	...	Gobernador Oporto
Manolo Solo	...	Alcaide
María Pujalte	...	Madre de Marcela
Francesc Orella	...	Padre de Marcela
Kelly Lua	...	Flor
Manuel Lourenzo	...	Párroco Victor Cortiella
Jorge Suquet	...	Médico de Dumbría
Ana Santos	...	Vecina Mayor
Mariana Carballal	...	Monja / Profesora Historia
Roberto Leal	...	Sacerdote de Dumbría
Luisa Merelas	...	Monja Ciega

Storyline

The first same-sex marriage in Spain to take place after the Roman Imperial era occurred on 8 June 1901. Two women, Marcela Gracia Ibeas and Elisa Sanchez Loriga, attempted to get married in A Coruña (Galicia, Spain). To achieve it Elisa had to adopt a male identity: Mario Sánchez, as listed on the marriage certificate.

---

Plot Keywords:

female nudity | female full frontal nudity | 

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

---

Details

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish Portuguese

Release Date:

7 June 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

Elisa & Marcela

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lanube Películas, Axencia Galega das Industrias Culturais (AGADIC), Institut Català de les Empreses Culturals (ICEC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

Greta Fernández replaced María Valverde due to scheduling conflicts.

---

Goofs

Some men in the film, particularly the woodcutters, have longish hair and beards. While beards were somewhat out of fashion at the turn of the 20th century, they weren't unheard-of. However, you'd be hard-pressed to find pictures of any European or white North American men with long hair.

---

Crazy Credits

During the end credits, photos of real-life lesbian couples are shown.

User Reviews

Exceptional!

This is a powerful and beautifully done film. It is shot in black and white which somehow enhances the whole thing. It would have had far less impact had it been done in colour. The camera work is wonderfully creative, reminiscent of the classic still images of Ansel Adams or Edward Weston who were masters of black and white. There is a lot of graphic lesbian sex, maybe too much, but all of it is tasteful and enhances the long, sad story of the film (and I am someone who normally dislikes graphic "humping scenes" hetero or homo.) This film is a triumph of cinematic art!