"Monica" is an intimate portrait of a powerful yet delicate and extremely feminine woman, who returns home to the Midwest for the first time in 20 years to take care of her dying mother. As they see each other, they are as strangers who slowly start getting to know each other, perhaps because this is also the first time Monica’s mother sees Monica for who she is and not what she wanted her to be. This beautiful story explores the universal themes of abandonment, aging, rejection, acceptance, and forgiveness. Without too many words, we are led into Monica’s world and state of mind, the pain and fear, needs and desires of a woman whose journey ultimately illuminates the human condition.

An absolutely mesmerizingly shot film with spectacular and notable performances by Trace Lysette and Patricia Clarkson, which gives a beautiful and honest insight to a transgender experience with all its pain and beauty. Perhaps a meaningful and eye-opening truth about life: in the end it doesn’t matter what our gender is, we all crave love.

Triin Tramberg