«For years, Adrián Silvestre has dedicated the best of his cinema to refuting that coldness of yesteryear with the emotion of beauty, of what is close, of what is perfectly viable.»
Luis Martínez, EL MUNDO
«Built around a superb, challenging central performance by Raphaëlle Perez, My Emptiness and I confirm Adrián Silvestre as one of Spain’s standout new directorial talents.«
Jonathan Holland, SREEN DAILY
Raphi, from France, fantasises about romances with princes, and about starting a traditional family. But in reality, things aren’t like that. She works in a call centre in Barcelona, struggles with at times embarrassing dates, and is diagnosed by her therapist as having gender dysphoria. During this confusing, yet valuable period, we follow this trans woman as she makes her transition, as well as in her everyday life. She talks candidly with colleagues, queer friends, and the men she meets through apps. In spite of all the advice she receives, it turns out that it is mostly time and experience that will help her embrace her place in this world.
The screenplay for this social-realist drama came about in close collaboration with lead actor Raphaëlle Perez, as well as by drawing on the experiences of various queer communities. Filmed up-close-and-personal, intimate moments are interspersed with Raphi’s many meetings and her online persona, which changes as she gets to know herself better.
FESTIVALS & AWARDS
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ROTTERDAM 2022. Big Screen Competition.
37th GUADALAJARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. Maguey Prize. BEST FILM.
25th MÁLAGA FILM FESTIVAL. Official Competition. SILVER BIZNAGA, SPECIAL JURY PRIZE.
SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2022. Official Competition.
40 OUTFEST LOS ÁNGELES. Official Competition. SPECIAL MENTION BEST PERFORMANCE.
CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2022. Official Competition.
BOSTON WICKED QUEER FILM FESTIVAL 2022. Official Competition. HONOURABLE MENTION.
FRAMELINE. SAN FRANCISCO 2022. Official Competition.
26 SEATTLE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL. Official Competition. SPECIAL MENTION.
VANCOUVER QUEER FILM FESTIVAL. 2022 Official Competition.
22 NEW HORIZONS FF. POLAND. Visual Front.
OUTFEST PERU 2022. Official Competition. BEST PERFORMANCE.
DA FILM FESTIVAL 2022. Un impulso colectivo. SPECIAL MENTION.
MIX MILANO 2022. Official Competition. SPECIAL MENTION.
PUERTO VALLARTA FILM FESTIVAL 2022. Official Competition. IGUANA DE ORO.
ATLANTIDA FILM FEST 2022. Special screening.
CINEMAJOVE VALENCIA 2022. Special screening.
29 CINELATINO TÜBINGEN/STUGGART. Official Competition.
SEMANA DE CINE DE MELILLA. Official Competition. BEST PERFORMANCE.
Type: Fiction – Feature Film
Year: 2022
Runtime: 98 ‘
Original version: Spanish, French
Subtitled versions: English, French, Spanish
Format: Colour, 1:85, HD, Digital 5.1
Main Cast: Raphaëlle Pérez, Alberto Díaz, Marc Ribera, Isabel Rocatti, Carlos Fernández Giua, Carmen Moreno
Director: Adrián Silvestre
Screenplay: Raphaëlle Pérez, Adrián Silvestre, Carlos Marqués-Marcet
Producers: Marta Figueras, Javier Pérez Santana, Alba Sotorra
Director of Photography: Laura Herrero
Sound recording: Nacho Ortuzar
Sound design: Matías Núñez
Film Editing: Adrián Silvestre
International Festivals: The Film Collaborative
International Sales: Film Republic
Adrián Silvestre 