Diary of a Woman confronts viewers with raw vulnerability, unraveling a deeply personal journey through identity, trauma and emotional isolation — far from a soothing cinematic experience. The film that delves into the complexities of gender identity, specifically exploring the life of a man grappling with gender insecurity.
Unlike the typical Bollywood portrayal of Switzerland as a dreamy backdrop for romantic escapades, Simon Aeby’s film offers a grounded, introspective look into the solitary life of a Swiss teacher. It stands in stark contrast to the glossy narratives of love and glamour. While in India, life is often enriched by friendship, spirituality, and vibrant social connections, Aeby’s Switzerland feels cold, quiet, and emotionally desolate—where individual existence is marked by loneliness, gloom and monotony. Quodos to Simon for portraying reality.
How might an eight-year-old boy feel, left alone at home at night, while his single mother dresses in red and spends her evenings reveling in nightclubs—dancing, socializing, and losing herself in the glitter of the nightlife?
Alex Darkley (Marcel Schneider), a middle-aged teacher whose descent into suicidal insanity is triggered by his early childhood and he faces refusal and bigotry while living out his sexual ambiguity. His journey is a raw and unflinching exploration of gender identity, reflected through the lens of his transformation into Alexa, a pivotal shift that first brings euphoria but quickly spirals into isolation and despair.
Returning to the narrative, Alex receives a call from his lawyer informing him that his elderly, ailing mother has little time left. The mounting hospital expenses have become so overwhelming that he’s forced to vacate the family home. The next day, Alex visits his mother and during her meal, her condition is so deteriorated that she fails to recognize her own son. That was a heart wrenching moment!
Simon Aeby’s measured pacing proves powerful, capturing the unsettling truth that life can shift in an instant—from quiet routine to the overwhelming realization of losing a beloved mother. That’s adequately conveyed in the film’s duration of 90 minutes.
Alex’s solitary walks through deserted streets and his quiet train journeys unfold against a backdrop of stark, luminous stillness—each moment steeped in striking moods and haunting silence. Marcel Schneider delivers a soul-stirring performance, capturing the weight of isolation with raw intensity. Simon Aeby’s direction, though slow-paced, proves deeply effective in evoking the emotional undercurrents of the narrative.
The narrative culminates in a harrowing suicide attempt, after which Alex is saved and finds solace in reconnecting with his girlfriend. However, the film leaves the audience questioning the permanence of this newfound happiness.
A glimmer of light in an otherwise soul-stirring, somber tale!
Cast of Diary of a Woman:
Marcel Schneider as Alex Darkley
Olga Dinnikova as Alex Darkley’s mother
Florence Matousek as Laura
Béla Haltinner as Alex (the child)
Jürg Plüss as Man in the Dance club
Credits of Diary of a Woman:
Banner: Simon Aeby Films & Snider Films
Produced by: Simon Aeby, Marcel Schneider, Remo Muggli, Angelo Boffa
Co Producer: Max Müller
Directed by: Simon Aeby
Story, Screenplay & Dialogue: Simon Aeby
Music By: Adriano Cancellara (Title Song)
Cinematography – Roberto Cancellara
Editor Roberto Cancellara
Costumes: Katia Jequier
Background Score – Markus Moll, Katharina Pfenninger
Media Relation: Ashwani Shukla, Altair Media
