What Is Being Impossible About?
The premise of Being Impossible in 344 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
At twenty, Ariel spends her days hunched over a sewing machine in a bustling clothing factory, her skilled hands moving fabric while a quiet sense of displacement settles deep within her. The other women around her share an easy camaraderie that she cannot quite join, and even the simplest exchanges leave her feeling like an outsider peering through a window. Her mother, Dolores, who is unwell, urges Ariel toward the conventional path of womanhood in a society that demands strict adherence to familiar roles, while her boyfriend, Carlos, offers a closeness that nevertheless feels incomplete.
The discomfort that has always lingered beneath the surface sharpens into something undeniable when Ariel seeks help from Clemencia, the doctor who has known her since childhood. Through a series of visits, Ariel begins to uncover a long-held truth: as an infant, she was born with an intersex body and was subjected to multiple surgeries intended to reshape her into a conventional female form. The revelation reframes everything she thought she knew about herself, opening a door to questions about identity, autonomy, and the way her body was decided for her before she could speak.
As she sits with this knowledge, the world around her grows more complicated. A new seamstress named Ana joins the factory floor, and Ariel finds herself unexpectedly drawn to her quiet confidence, stirring feelings she struggles to name. The other women, quick to gossip and pry into one another’s lives, create a watchful atmosphere that magnifies every glance and silence. Ariel is left navigating the narrow space between the life that was mapped out for her and a truer version of herself that refuses to fit the binary she was assigned.
Tender, observational, and laced with quiet tension, the film immerses viewers in Ariel’s interior world, weaving together her personal reckoning with glimpses of others who have walked similar paths. The result is an intimate portrait of a young woman searching for language, connection, and a sense of belonging in a world that rarely makes room for those who exist between its defined lines.
What Happens in Being Impossible?
The complete story of Being Impossible, from the first scene to the last, in 211 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Ariel, played by Lucía Bedoya, is a 20-year-old seamstress working in a clothing factory who struggles with a deep sense of not fitting in. After experiencing intense pain during her first sexual encounter with her boyfriend, Carlos, Ariel seeks advice from her mother, María Elena Duque, who is battling cancer. Despite the pain, her mother encourages her to persevere to meet the expectations of their patriarchal society, though she suggests Ariel visit her childhood physician, Doctora Clemencia.
At the factory, Ariel feels increasingly isolated as her colleagues, including her close co-worker played by Virginia Urdaneta, reveal a nosy and judgmental nature. After several appointments with Doctora Clemencia, Ariel is initially diagnosed with vaginal stenosis. However, as her stress grows and she becomes intrigued by a new employee named Ana, the truth emerges.
The doctor eventually reveals a shocking secret: Ariel was born intersex and underwent multiple surgeries as a child to force her body to conform to female standards. While struggling with this revelation, Ariel enters a secret romantic relationship with Ana. When her coworker discovers the affair, Ariel becomes a target of homophobia, leading to a volatile confrontation at the factory that results in her being fired. This personal journey is poignantly intercut with real-life testimonials from other intersex individuals.
Being Impossible Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Feel Like an Outsider at the Factory” to “Testimonials from Intersex People”. 10 events name a place, across 2 locations.
- 1
Feel Like an Outsider at the Factory
Ariel is a 20-year-old woman working as a seamstress in a clothing factory. Despite her steady job, she constantly feels like she does not fit in among her coworkers. This sense of alienation shapes much of her daily life and sets the stage for the struggles ahead.
Where:Clothing factory
- 2
Painful First Sexual Experience with Carlos
Ariel has sex with her boyfriend Carlos for the first time, expecting intimacy and connection. Instead, the experience brings her only intense pain. The encounter leaves her confused and worried about her own body, beginning her search for answers.
- 3
Confiding in Her Ailing Mother
Ariel opens up to her mother Dolores about the intense pain she felt during sex. Dolores, who is ill with cancer, hears her daughter's concerns and takes them seriously. She encourages Ariel to keep trying in order to fulfill the role of a woman in their patriarchal society.
- 4
Referred to Childhood Doctor Clemencia
Alongside her traditional advice, Dolores mentions that Ariel can visit Clemencia, the doctor from her childhood. This suggestion quietly opens the door to Ariel's medical journey. It becomes a crucial turning point, even as Dolores also pressures her to conform to social expectations.
- 5
Isolation Deepens Among Gossipy Coworkers
At work, the other women begin to show their true colors, prying into everybody else's private business. Even Ariel's closest friend participates in the intrusive gossip. Ariel feels increasingly isolated and alone in the very place where she already felt like she did not belong.
Where:Clothing factory
- 6
Diagnosed with Vaginal Stenosis
Ariel visits Clemencia, who diagnoses her condition as vaginal stenosis, explaining the severe pain she experienced. The diagnosis offers an explanation but leaves deeper questions about her body unanswered. Clemencia prescribes medical dildos as part of the treatment plan.
Where:Clemencia's clinic
- 7
Suspicion Grows Over Kept Secrets
Ariel returns to Clemencia several times while following her prescribed treatment. Through conversations with both her mother and the doctor, she grows suspicious about what she is not being told about her own body. The uncertainty puts her under increasing stress just as changes arrive at the factory.
Where:Clemencia's clinic
- 8
Ana Joins the Factory
A new woman named Ana joins the factory workforce at a moment when Ariel is already feeling stressed and unsettled. Ariel finds herself immediately intrigued by Ana. This new arrival gives Ariel a compelling connection amid her growing anxiety about her health and identity.
Where:Clothing factory
- 9
The Pain Worsens
Despite her visits and prescribed treatments, Ariel's pain continues to worsen. This escalation forces her back to Clemencia, seeking more profound answers. The worsening condition finally compels the doctor to confront the truth she has been keeping hidden.
- 10
Clemencia Reveals Ariel Was Born Intersex
Clemencia reveals the devastating truth: Ariel was born intersex and was submitted to a series of surgeries as a child to conform her body to a female anatomy. The revelation upsets Ariel deeply, forcing her to reexamine everything she believed about herself. She struggles with the realization that such fundamental aspects of her identity and body were concealed from her for so long.
Where:Clemencia's clinic
Show the other 5 events of Being Impossible Hide the last 5 events
- 11
A Clandestine Relationship with Ana
Ariel and Ana begin a secret relationship at the factory. Despite the genuine connection between them, Ariel frequently tries to deny her own feelings. Her internal conflict over her gender identity and sexuality makes it difficult for her to fully accept the romance.
Where:Clothing factory
- 12
The Secret Is Discovered
Ariel's nosy close friend finds out about her clandestine relationship with Ana. Word spreads quickly, and Ariel becomes the target of open homophobia from her coworkers. The persecution intensifies her inner conflict about her sexuality and identity, compounding the trauma of her recent revelation.
Where:Clothing factory
- 13
Friend Starts a Fight at the Factory
The hostility escalates when Ariel's friend starts a direct fight with her and Ana at the factory. The confrontation brings the simmering tension to a breaking point in front of everyone. What was once hidden gossip now erupts into open conflict in the workplace.
Where:Clothing factory
- 14
Ariel Is Fired
As a consequence of the fight, Ariel is fired from her job at the factory. She loses not only her livelihood but also her daily connection to Ana and her hard-won sense of belonging. The dismissal represents the culmination of the isolation and persecution she has endured.
Where:Clothing factory
- 15
Testimonials from Intersex People
Throughout the narrative, Ariel's story is intercut with testimonials from real intersex people. These firsthand accounts place her experiences within a larger community and historical context. They underscore the real-world impact of the secrecy, interventions, and shame depicted in Ariel's personal journey.
Who Are the Main Characters in Being Impossible?
5 characters, among them Ariel, Carlos and Dolores (Ariel's Mother): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- A
Ariel
Played by Lucía Bedoya
Ariel is a 20-year-old seamstress who grapples with her identity and societal expectations. She experiences physical pain and emotional turmoil as she navigates her sexual awakening and confronts her intersex identity. Her journey is marked by conflict, curiosity, and courage as she seeks to understand herself amid external pressures.
- 👩🎤 Main Character
- 🌱 Growth
- 🔍 Self-Discovery
- C
Carlos
Played by Santiago Osuna
Carlos is Ariel's boyfriend, representing the conventional expectations of male-female relationships. While he shares intimate moments with Ariel, he is positioned as a catalyst for her exploration of pain and pleasure. His character underscores the gender dynamics and societal pressures that Ariel faces in her journey.
- 💑 Boyfriend
- 📏 Conformity
- D(
Dolores (Ariel's Mother)
Played by María Elena Duque
Dolores is a loving yet traditional mother who embodies the societal expectations that weigh heavily on Ariel. As she battles cancer, she encourages Ariel to conform to her perceived roles, creating a complex dynamic of love and pressure. Her character highlights the generational conflicts regarding feminism and gender roles.
- 👩👧 Mother
- 🍂 Guidance
- C(
Clemencia (Doctora)
Played by Adyane Gonzalez
Dr. Clemencia is Ariel's childhood doctor who plays a pivotal role in revealing Ariel's intersex condition. Her professional guidance confronts societal norms, and her supportive nature contrasts with the fear and stigma Ariel faces. Clemencia serves as a crucial figure in Ariel's quest for understanding and acceptance.
- 🩺 Mentor
- 🌟 Supportive
- A
Ana
Played by Belkis Avilladares
Ana emerges as a new figure in Ariel's life, sparking her curiosity and desire. Their clandestine relationship highlights the themes of identity and forbidden love, challenging both women's understandings of themselves. Ana represents the potential for liberation from societal constraints, encouraging Ariel to explore her feelings.
- 🌹 Love Interest
- 🌈 Freedom
Where and When Is Being Impossible Set?
Being Impossible is set in Clothing Factory and Ariel's Home. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The movie portrays contemporary life, highlighting the struggles of young women navigating societal expectations in modern times. The themes of gender identity and sexuality are particularly resonant today as society grapples with these issues. Ariel’s experiences reflect the ongoing conversations about individuality and acceptance in a fast-evolving world.
Where
Clothing Factory, Ariel's Home
The clothing factory serves as Ariel's primary workplace, where the dynamics among the women influence her experiences and interactions. It is a place of both camaraderie and conflict, embodying the challenges of female solidarity in a patriarchal setting. Ariel's home is a nurturing yet tense environment, as her mother battles cancer while instilling traditional values in her daughter.
- 🏭 Workplace
- 🏠 Home
What Are the Themes of Being Impossible?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Identity, Isolation and Homophobia.
-
01
Identity
The theme of identity is central to Ariel's journey as she confronts her gender identity and sexual orientation. Struggling to fit into societal norms, she starts to explore her true self, leading to a deeper understanding of who she is. Encounters with her mother and doctor further complicate her notions of femininity and belonging.
-
02
Isolation
Isolation permeates Ariel's experience, both in her personal relationships and at work. Despite being surrounded by others, she feels profoundly alone in her struggles, amplifying her vulnerabilities. The tension with her friend and the judgmental atmosphere at the factory intensify her feelings of separation from those around her.
-
03
Homophobia
Homophobia plays a significant role in the narrative, impacting Ariel's understanding of love and acceptance. As she navigates her budding feelings for Ana, societal prejudices emerge, igniting conflict and forcing her to confront the external pressures that challenge her authenticity. The fight at the factory exemplifies the harsh realities of discrimination faced by those exploring their sexual identities.
What Kind of Film Is Being Impossible?
Dark in tone, with slow pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A heavy, slow-burning drama that follows a young intersex woman uncovering painful truths about her past and fighting to define her identity amid societal rejection, workplace hostility, and family pressure.
- isolated
- oppressive
- somber
- introspective
- claustrophobic
- identity focused
- intersex identity
- gender identity
- self discovery
- medical trauma
Content notes: non-consensual childhood surgery, infant medical intervention, homophobia, workplace discrimination, family illness, intrusive sexual content.
Quiz
How well do you remember Being Impossible? Test yourself on the story.
