It seems like the world couldn't stop talking about the emotional trailer for 'The Danish Girl,' which features Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne making a transition from man to woman as Lili Elbe. Although the film will not be released until November, the internet is already abuzz with another possible Oscar-winning role for Redmayne.
But what is the true story of 'The Danish Girl?' Who is Lili Elbe, and how did she come to be the first recipient of a male to female sex reassignment surgery?
Lili Ilse Elvenes was born as Einar Magnus Andreas Wegener in Denmark in 1882. She met her wife Gerda Gottlieb when they both attended Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, and the couple got married in 1904. Before her transition, Lili was a successful artist who specialized in landscape paintings, however she chose to give up her profession since she believed it was something that only Einar wanted to do.
Gerda Gottlieb was also an artist who made illustrations for books and fashion magazines, and at one point needed someone to sit in for a female model. Lili immediately dressed as a woman for her wife, and found that she was more comfortable when she is in feminine clothing. Gerda's paintings were a success and Lili began to dress as a woman regularly, presenting herself in public as Einar Wegener's sister.
It was in 1930 that Lili Elbe decided to undergo sex reassignment surgery in Germany, where she had four different operations. Unfortunately, Lili died only three months after her last surgery.
'The Danish Girl' is based on the 2000 David Ebershoff novel about Lili Elbe's life, and the film also stars 'Ex Machina' actress Alicia Vikander as Gerda Gottlieb Wegener. The movie will be screened for the 72nd Venice International Film Festival, and will also be shown in the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival under the Special Presentations section.
'The Danish Girl' is scheduled for a limited release on November 27.
