Yes, The Danish Girl (2015) is based on the true story of Danish artist Lili Elbe, who was one of the first-known transgender women to undergo gender confirmation surgery in the early 20th century.
What is the true story behind the movie The Danish Girl (2015)?
The Danish Girl is a biographical drama film that tells the story of Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of gender confirmation surgery.
In real life, Lili Elbe was born as Einar Wegener in Denmark in 1882. She was a successful landscape painter who married fellow artist Gerda Gottlieb. In the 1920s, Einar began to dress in women’s clothing and went by the name Lili, eventually undergoing a series of gender confirmation surgeries while living as a woman.
The movie portrays the transformation of Einar to Lili as a romantic journey, focusing on the relationship between Einar/Lili and Gerda. However, in real life, Gerda and Lili’s relationship ended after Lili underwent the surgeries and the two eventually divorced.
Despite the inaccuracies and artistic liberties taken in The Danish Girl, the film helped raise awareness and start conversations about gender identity and transgender issues.
Are there any books about the true story behind the movie The Danish Girl (2015)?
Yes, there is a book called “The Danish Girl” by David Ebershoff, on which the movie is based. It is a fictionalized account of the life of Lili Elbe, one of the first known transgender people to undergo gender confirmation surgery.
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