“We are all strangers to ourselves.” —Rene Descartes

Many times, we may hear, “Life is a journey.” As we walk along a path that can include joys and struggles, we are provided the opportunity to gather data along the way. We become explorers in search of a better understanding of the complexities of what makes us who we are.

Upon this quest, we may ponder regarding what we enjoy and what brings about pain and disappointment. We may investigate whether we truly express our authentic selves. Are we content in the manner of our expression? Do we live a life that represents our inner core, or do we live a life longing for who we believe we ought to be? Within the film The Danish Girl (2015), we witness Lili Elbe’s (loosely inspired by her life) transformation upon her path of self-awareness and self-knowledge with the support of loved ones.

Lili Elbe, performed by Eddie Redmayne, is introduced as Einar Wegener, a painter in this biographical romantic drama directed by Tom Hopper (2015). Living and working alongside his wife Gerda, acted by Alicia Vikander, Einar discovers Lili, the gender identity of a woman that he begins to self-identify as his true self. Locating Lili and becoming better acquainted with her leads Einar to desire to say goodbye to his male-identified gender and embark on living life as Lili.

At times,........

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