One of the best films on the transgender experience 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 and family, in a stylized scripted narrative framework with gorgeous cinematography by Teo Escamilla. The stories of Eva, Nacha, Loren, Josette, Reneé and Tamara were never properly released outside of Spain and never available on home video, but Toronto audiences can finally see this vital testament to just how far we’ve come—and how far there’s still left to go.

In Spanish with English subtitles.

Tickets: $15 (Members from $10)