By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 5 cats
Director: Sharon Kleinberg
Starring: Hector Kotsifakis | Mayra Batalla | Mercedes Hernández | Oustin León | Ruth Ramos
Original language title: Soy Mario
Year: 2026
Running time: 93
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37515757/
Michael says: “This was a huge surprise, as I was dubious about it before the screening, fearing it might be a little sensationalistic.. Writer/director Sharon Kleinberg has made a beautiful film about a trans man in Mexico City who becomes pregnant. Exploring themes of gender identity, and prejudices in Central America, the film is tender, powerful, gritty and honest. Oustin León’s performance as Mario is exquisitely lovely, despite his inexperience as an actor. There is wonderful chemistry between he and his love interest, played by Ruth Ramos, and the supporting cast playing Mario’s tax driver buddies, mother and sister are all strong.
“I was particularly moved by the way Kleinberg and León handled the complex emotional issues of being male and having a baby. Having that totally upend the way Mario thinks of himself. The handheld shooting worked very well for both the intensity of the close-ups and the hectic traveling through the city while Mario is in his cab. I really hope this one gets distribution. My #1 of the fest so far. 5 cats
“Screened at TIFF Lightbox, Saturday, 9/12, director and lead actor in attendance”
Chris says: “‘Trans man becomes pregnant’ sounds like a tabloid headline on the page but for a film high-concept enough for this corker of a one-line premise, the potentially risky I AM MARIO turns out to be an unexpectedly tender and nuanced character study. It was easily my biggest surprise at this year’s TIFF.
“To understand such a premise, one has to establish that Mario (Oustin León) is in the middle of his transition when this occurs. A Mexico City cabdriver already masculine enough to easily pass as male, he’s been going through hormonal treatments but had to temporarily pause them (and put off gender-reassignment surgery) due to medical complications. Following a tryst with a male co-worker shot ambiguously enough to question whether the act was entirely consensual, Mario discovers he’s pregnant; his reaction is suitably conflicted as he does want to have children, just not in this way. Further complicating matters is Jessica (Ruth Ramos), a spirited taxi customer-turned-lover who accepts him being trans but has no interest in becoming a mother (this early in his pregnancy, she has no idea.)
“Director/writer Sharon Kleinberg isn’t trans but her sensitive, non-sensationalist approach to the material is partially what makes the film work. Much time is spent exploring the complex dynamic between Mario and his family (whom he’s out to) and his coworkers (whom he’s not.) Still, for a premise like this to excel, one needs a strong lead performance. Leon, who appears in nearly every frame delivers just that; astonishingly, this is his first professional acting role. His contributed input to the screenplay based on his own experiences is also deeply felt.
“Just a decade or two ago, someone might have misguidedly attempted to make a wacky comedy out of such a premise. I AM MARIO meets the current moment beautifully. One hopes enough people will see it so that it becomes a talisman for future generations of trans stories waiting to be told. 5 cats”