Curious to see Lili Elbe’s legacy in LGBTIQ history?

Adapted by Lucinda Coxon from David Ebershoff’s novel, Tom Hooper’s film The Danish Girl portrays the true story of Lili Elbe, who underwent a sex reassignment operation in the 1930s. This was the first publicly known surgery in history.

Lili (portrayed by Eddie Redmayne) was born in Denmark in the late 1800s as Einar Wegener.

The film portrays the remarkable love story between Lili Elbe and artist Gerda Wegener (Alicia Vikander) – Their marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili’s groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.

A portrait of Lili Elbe by Gerda Wegener, a watercolour from 1928

​After the film’s premiere at the 72nd Venice Film Festival last weekend, The Danish Girl received a 10-minute standing ovation. It is due to be released in Australian cinemas on Boxing Day