Emotions run high between cab driver Mario (Oustin León) and his coworker Juaquin (Hector Kotsifakis), which turns into sex. His life seems in contrast with the kind of people he drives around, families where men care for children. Thankfully, though, the titular Mexican protagonist in I Am Mario doesn’t just do hookups with his coworkers.
Mario discloses his transness to his girlfriend Jessica (Ruth Ramos), which she’s ok with, but he doesn’t tell her that he’s pregnant yet. He’s more direct about his pregnancy to his family, like his sister Socorro (Mayra Batalla) and mother Ines (Mercedes Hernández). Their mix of emotions during his pregnancy as a testy reunion with Joaquin puts his health in considerable jeopardy.
Independent films, regardless of whether or not they’re depicting anyone of any gender, rely on their content. Maybe I’m giving a lot of credit to I Am Mario‘s production design even if it is admittedly janky. Maybe that jankiness is its charm as it captures a man who is mostly alone and borderline hostile to others. The disconnect between a man and his world shows up in the movie’s unvarnished depiction of his environment.
Aside from the family dynamics, another of I Am Mario‘s perks is its honesty in depicting Mexican society. It’s more progressive than its northern neighbour but it also shows the reality of navigating healthcare as a trans man. It shows healthcare workers and how they treat Mario but thankfully, it shows them helping him during his delivery.
- Rated: Unrated
- Genre: Drama
- Release Date: 9/12/2026
- Directed by: Sharon Kleinberg
- Starring: Hector Kotsifakis, Mayra Batalla, Mercedes Hernández, Oustin León, Ruth Ramos
- Studio: Eficine, Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía
