Diary of a Woman movie review: A search for self-discovery outside of gender

Cast: Marcel Schneider, Olga Dinnikova, Florence Matousek, Jurg Pluss

Director: Simon Aeby

Imagine that your identity is not a place but a geography constantly in flux. That is the deeply philosophical question behind the surface of the Swiss film ‘Diary of a Woman,’ a film that will not be defined but must be felt, not seen.

Produced by Simon Aeby Films & Snider Films, ‘Diary of a Woman’ features Marcel Schneider in an engrossing lead performance, with able support from Olga Dinnikova and Florence Matousek. ‘Diary of a Woman’ is not simply a film; it’s a richly textured, empathetic exploration of a topic traditionally parked on the fringes of society.

The movie gets us to know Alex (Marcel Schneider), a Swiss village schoolteacher. His days are spent living what appears to be a normal life, but when night falls, a different world takes over. Beseiged by disjointed flashbacks from his past, Alex is trapped in an angry emotional tempest. He starts writing in a diary, a taciturn companion to the insecurities that plague him: “Who am I? What is my gender identity?”

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Alex’s inner conflict begins to impact his personal relationships, especially with his girlfriend, Laura (Florence Matousek), as he becomes more and more alone. Disappointed for answers, Alex goes to the church seeking God’s guided answers but gets none. In the process, he tests his identity by dressing up in makeup and women’s attire to attend parties in quest of acceptance. This only raises his psychological agony.

The movie leaves you on pins and needles, wondering: Will Alex find his peace and true self? Will he end up with his girlfriend, or will he take a completely new path? The answers are in watching this heavily personal and emotional tale told.

Marcel Schneider has a completely transfiguring performance as both Alex and Alexa. His acting is not playing a role, but a pure, raw, visceral portrayal of one man’s struggle to find himself. Schneider makes us care about Alex’s suffering, confusion, and desire to be accepted. How he is able to perform both sides of the character so truthfully is breathtaking and a testament to his brilliance. Florence Matousek as Alex’s girlfriend and Olga Dinnikova as his mother provide equally moving and realistic performances, bringing depth and emotional force to the story.

Director Simon Aeby addresses this sensitive subject matter tactfully and with a keen eye for detail. The cinematography, which presents the beautiful Swiss landscapes, is impressively contrasted against the discomfort of the main character. The color scheme and score are chosen carefully to get the feel of the story and have the film be more narrative-successful.

‘Diary of a Woman’ is not literally a retelling; it’s a cinematic experience aimed at instilling understanding and empathy. It’s a reminder that as LGBTQ+ groups all over the world battle for acceptance, full acceptance can only be met when we, society, can look beyond and accept people for what they are, independent of the strict definings of gender.

It is not a film to be read but one which needs to be seen and experienced. If you prefer films that test the boundaries of the medium and address serious social causes, ‘Diary of a Woman’ is a movie you should see.

Rating: 3 (out of 5 stars)

Diary of a Woman is releasing on 12th September