Finlandia
(Finlandia)
Horacio Alcalá | Drama, Fiction
2021 | 97 minutes | Spain, Mexico
In Oaxaca, Finlandia explores the lives of Muxes, a Zapotec third-gender community, weaving themes of identity, resilience, and cultural authenticity.
Synopsis
Belonging to a community of muxes fighting to reclaim their gender beyond the binary spectrum, Delirio, Amaranta, and Mariano go through their past, present, and future.
Marta, a designer, embarks on a journey to Oaxaca to document its rich traditions. As she navigates the fine line between admiration and cultural appropriation, her perception of reality—and herself—begins to shift. Living among the muxes, she is drawn to their struggles, passions, and unspoken traumas. Immersed in their world, Marta must confront her assumptions, desires, and a deeper meaning of belonging.
When a powerful earthquake shatters their world, they must confront not just the physical destruction, but also the deeper tremors of identity, resilience, and self-expression in a society that both reveres and resists them.
A visually stunning and deeply moving exploration of love, struggle, and the defiant beauty of being oneself, Finlandia is a cinematic ode to the strength of those who dare to live authentically.
Reviews
“A tale of memory, mysticism, and the master creativity of the Muxe. A multifaceted drama filled with life, love, and despair; a glorious explosion of creativity and cultural insight.” – Chad Armstrong, The Queer Review
“A sumptuous visual feast, enhanced by Alcalá’s background working for Cirque du Soleil.” – Doug Rule, Metro Weekly
“Muxe is neither a man nor a woman; it is beyond that. In 2014, Mexico City became the first jurisdiction in the country to legally recognize the third gender on official documents. This recognition allows individuals to choose “gender not specified” on their identification documents, reflecting the commitment to inclusivity and respect for self-identified gender identities.” – Cindy Roaming, Medium
Citation
Main credits
Alcalá, Horacio (film director)
Caballero, Jesús (screenwriter)
Barraza, Ernesto (film producer)
Menor, Raquel (film producer)
Hernández, Noé (actor)
Jiménez, Cuauhtli (actor)
Guasch, Andrea (actor)
Other credits
Cinematography, David Palacios; editing, Nacho Ruiz Capillass; music, Esteban Testolini.
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Anthropology
Body Image
Culture + Identity
Economics + Social Class Issues
Family
Gender + Sexuality Studies
Human Rights
Indigenous Peoples
Latin American Studies
Sociology
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Seattle International Film Festival - Best Director; FICCI Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival - Special Prize; San Francisco Int'l LGBTQ Film Fest - Best First Feature Nominee; Lovers Italy - Gio Stajano Award; Córdoba Film Week - Audience Award; Connecticut Out Film - Best Film; Toulouse Des-images-aux-mots - Audience Award; Outshine Fort Lauderdade - Jury Award; Campeche Film Festival -Best Film; Tallgrass Film Festival - Best Film
DIRECTOR: Horacio Alcalá
NATIONALITY: Spain, Mexico
YEAR: 2021
GENRE: Drama, Fiction
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: High School, College, Adult
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
Existing customers, please log in to view this film.
New to Pragda? Register to request a quote.
Related Films

Transit Havana

Bixa Travesty
Bixa travesty

Sediments
Sedimientos

Castanha

Canela
Canela

Karina's Suit
El traje de Karina

Naomi Campbell, It's Not Easy to Become a Different Person
Naomi Campbell - No es fácil convertirse en otra persona

The Beach of the Enchaquirados
La playa de los Enchaquirados

Atempa, Dreams by the River
Atempa, sueños a la orilla del rio
Related Collections

Fiction Films
A compelling glimpse into Spain and Latin America's rich storytelling traditions, showcasing a blend of established directors and emerging voices. Each film highlights the depth and creativity of the region.
Number of titles: 275
SEE COLLECTION >
The Pragda Complete Film Collection
The essence of Spain and Latin America captured in their original language with English captions or subtitles.
Number of titles: 706
SEE COLLECTION >
Mexican Films
A collection of fascinating titles, from recent films to restored jewels, that highlight the significance of Mexican cinema’s quality and status while encompassing different aspects of the country's culture and traditions.
Number of titles: 79
SEE COLLECTION >
LGBTQ+
An insightful view into the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming community in Latin America and Spain.
Number of titles: 61
SEE COLLECTION >
Social Justice
A thought-provoking collection of films centered on social justice, each narrative a powerful exploration of human rights, equality, and the pursuit of a more just society.
Number of titles: 106
SEE COLLECTION >
Spanish Language Films
A cinematic highlight of the magic and diversity of the Spanish language.
Number of titles: 513
SEE COLLECTION >
Environment and Sustainability
A carefully curated collection of films that explore pressing environmental issues and inspire change.
Number of titles: 86
SEE COLLECTION >
Labor Lens: Work and Society
A cinematic exploration of the complexities, struggles, and triumphs of the working world, showcasing the diverse narratives and experiences that shape our understanding of labor and its context.
Number of titles: 236
SEE COLLECTION >
Criminal Justice
A riveting selection of films that provoke conversations on topics such as wrongful convictions, systemic issues, life in prison, and the human stories behind crime and punishment.
Number of titles: 154
SEE COLLECTION >