In this deftly crafted narrative, Flavio R. Tambellini directs a tale of familial love and reconciliation. Grace (Sandra Corveloni) is a single mother who finds out by chance during a doctor’s visit for sinusitis that she has a brain aneurysm – something that could rupture at any moment. Frantic, she suddenly realizes she doesn’t have anyone to turn to for her two children’s long-term care should she suddenly die. Newcomer Vicente Kato is Moreno, her imaginative and darling 8-year-old son; Sofia Marques plays Papoula, her introspective 15-year-old daughter.

After some thought, Grace decides to turn to her estranged brother Luiz Carlos for help. The two haven’t spoken in over 15 years, and when Luiz Carlos accepts Grace’s invitation to meet, Grace discovers that her brother has created a successful life as a restaurateur and has transitioned to be Gloria (Carolina Ferraz). A fiercely independent trans woman who’s quite happy and fulfilled in her life as it is, Gloria feels no need to reconnect and certainly doesn’t wish to complicate her life by becoming a mother to two children she never has known.

As the story unwinds, we discover old conflicts and deep wells of emotions that have been submerged for far too long. Gloria has tentative second thoughts and agrees to at least meet the children, but she remains unconvinced that she can take on such responsibility and change in her life.

Gloria and Grace is a heartwarming story not as much about being trans as about being family. It’s about discovering an ability to outgrow the boxes we build for ourselves and others in our lives. The film has been garnering awards in the festival circuit for a reason: it’s a true crowd-pleaser, suitable for allies and mainstream audiences alike. So be sure to bring your family and friends!

— Jennifer Morgan