You are here:

Fatima, Queen of the Night

Name: Fatima, Queen of the Night
Director: Jorge Perugorría
Released: 2015
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

7.1/10

Good

2015

Director

Jorge Perugorría

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Fatima, Queen of the Night is a sophisticated film that centers a non-conforming protagonist, disrupting traditional storytelling structures. By focusing on a character who navigates the world through a non-cisgender lens, the film offers a nuanced look at how gender identity interacts with social and economic pressures. The film excels at exploring the intersection of gender identity, sexual orientation, and economic survival. It moves beyond mere visibility to provide a deeper understanding of these intersections. While the film provides a strong Caribbean framework, the focus remains primarily on gender and class issues, effectively challenging traditional societal expectations.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Fatima, Queen of the Night have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film focuses on Fátima, a transgender protagonist who navigates gender identity and sexual orientation. Queer intimacy is a central emotional driver, not just a peripheral element.

How does Fatima, Queen of the Night portray gender?

Excellent

The narrative breaks down the gender binary through the protagonist's transition from Manuel to Fátima. It emphasizes individual ability to act and challenges traditional patriarchal roles and masculinity.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Fatima, Queen of the Night?

Good

Set in Havana, the film offers a culturally specific Caribbean context. It avoids Western-centric homogeneity by emphasizing local identity and social realities.

How does Fatima, Queen of the Night represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story deals with subjective morality by showing sex work as a means of economic survival. It avoids traditional moralizing, focusing instead on personal truth and necessity.

Does Fatima, Queen of the Night include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no explicit evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the narrative.

Present on Screen

Centers a transgender protagonist providing a non-cisgender perspective.
Treats queer intimacy as a central, vital human experience.
Successfully deconstructs traditional gender hierarchies and masculinity.
Avoids moralizing sex work, framing it through economic necessity.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
Focuses more on gender and class than on racial diversity.

Official Synopsis

Based on the short story of the same name by Miguel Barnet, in which Fatima - the Queen of the night, a young homosexual and transvestite, who is a prostitute to earn a living, and to maintain economically to the man whom he loves. While facing all the complexities arising from their decisions. Born in the provinces as Manuel García, nicknamed Manolito, to whom the Virgin of Fátima appeared as a child moves to the capital Havana where he meets and falls in love with Vaselina, who encourages him to cross-dress and start a new life in the world of entertainment and prostitution.

How are these scores produced? →