My Dearest Senorita

My Dearest Senorita is a 1972 Spanish film directed by Jaime de Armiñán. A romantic drama on the subject of sex change and intersexualism, it was the first Spanish film that talked about sexual orientation, which was a taboo subject in Spain during Franco's regime. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 45th Academy Awards. The film was released by In Cine, the Spanish division of Cinerama Releasing. Plot Adela is a 43-year-old spinster who lives alone in an isolated northern provincial Spanish village. She spends her days sewing and doing charity work. Never feeling particularly attracted to men, she is waited upon in her home by her faithful maid, Isabel (whom she affectionately calls Isabelita), who adores her. One day, the local bank manager starts to court Adela and sets his sights on marriage. Adela, repulsed by his physical overtures, consults the local priest and confesses that, while she has never been physical with a woman, feels "embarrassed" around them. On his advice, she resolves to consult a doctor. After a row, Adela fires Isabel; upon seeing her doctor, Adela is informed that she is not a woman after all, but a man. The former Adela moves to Madrid and takes on a new masculine identity, "Juan".