All About My Mother 1999

Manuela, a devoted single mother living in Madrid, celebrates her son Esteban’s 17th birthday by taking him to a Tennessee Williams play, A Streetcar Named Desire. After the performance, they eagerly wait outside to obtain an autograph from one of the actresses. Unfortunately, Esteban’s attempt to chase down their departing taxi leads to a tragic accident, and he is struck by a car, resulting in his untimely death.

In a quest to find closure, Manuela embarks on a journey to Barcelona to seek out Esteban’s father, a transvestite named Lola, who remains unaware of his fatherhood. While in Barcelona, she reconnects with her old friend Agrado, also a transvestite, who becomes a source of support in her time of need. To sustain herself, Manuela finds work through Agrado with Rosa, a nun who is grappling with her own struggles: she is three months pregnant with Lola’s child and has contracted AIDS.

As fate would have it, Manuela attends another performance of A Streetcar Named Desire where she encounters Huma, the actress her son had been so eager to meet. Throughout this turbulent period, Manuela becomes a caregiver for Rosa, providing support as she faces the challenges of motherhood and illness. Tragically, after giving birth, Rosa passes away from AIDS, leaving Manuela to bear the emotional weight of loss.

Soon, Lola reunites with Manuela, but he too is battling AIDS. In a poignant moment, Lola meets his newborn son, whom Manuela names Esteban in honor of her lost child. Ultimately, Manuela returns to Madrid, retracing her steps, this time with a new baby son in her arms, symbolizing hope and the enduring cycle of life amidst profound loss.