«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.
70th SAN SEBASTIAN FF. Made in Spain.
63rd THESSALONIKI FILM FESTIVAL. Film Forward. MERMAID AWARD.
43th FESTIVAL DE CINE DE LA HABANA. International panorama.
34th PALM SPRINGS FILM FESTIVAL. Queer Cinema Today.
IBERO-AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL MIAMI. Official Competition. RAINBOW PRIZE.
67th SEMINCI. Spanish Cinema.
27 FESTIVAL CINESPAÑA TOULOUSE. Official Competition. AUDIENCE AWARD.
24 RIO DE JANEIRO FILM FESTIVAL. Felix award. BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM.
KYIV INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL MOLODIST. Sunny Bunny. BEST FILM.
13th SOM CINEMA LLEIDA. Official Competition. BEST FILM.
DA FILM FESTIVAL 2022. Un Impulso Colectivo. SPECIAL MENTION.
40 OUTFEST LOS ÁNGELES. Official Competition. SPECIAL MENTION BEST PERFORMANCE.
BOSTON WICKED QUEER FILM FESTIVAL 2022. Official Competition. HONOURABLE MENTION.
FRAMELINE. SAN FRANCISCO 2022. Official Competition.
SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2022. Official Competition.
26 SEATTLE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL. Official Competition. SPECIAL MENTION.
CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2022. Official Competition.
VANCOUVER QUEER FILM FESTIVAL. 2022 Official Competition.
22 NEW HORIZONS FF. POLAND. Visual Front.
OUTFEST PERU 2022. Official Competition. BEST PERFORMANCE.
17th TEL AVIV FEST. Official Competition. HONOURABLE MENTION.
36th BRAUNSCHWEIG FILM FESTIVAL. New International Cinema. SPECIAL MENTION.
35th EXGROUND FILM FEST WIESBADEN. Panorama.
27th SPLIT FILM FESTIVAL. Official Competition. HONOURABLE MENTION.
MIX MILANO 2022. Official Competition. HONOURABLE MENTION.
PUERTO VALLARTA FILM FESTIVAL 2022. Official Competition. IGUANA DE ORO.
18th ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL 2022. New World View.
HELSINKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2022. Love Boat.
QUEER LISBOA 2022. Official Competition.
GENDER BENDER BOLOGNA 2022. Official Competition.
DAMN THESE HEELS UTAH 2022. Official Competition.
MELBOURNE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL 2022. Official Competition.
25th FANCINEGAY EXTREMADURA. Panorama.
23rd ABYCINE. Talentos Abycine Lanza.
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 