Netflix Reveals Its Most Ambitious & Wokest Film Yet About a Trans Woman Fighting to Work in Coal Mines
Netflix is drawing attention with its latest film, Queen of Coal, which tells the story of a trans woman determined to work in the coal mines despite living in a town bound by superstition and strict gender roles.
The movie stars Lux Pascal, formerly known as Lucas Pascal, aka Pedro Pascal’s sibling, and is inspired by the true story of Carla Antonella “Carlita” Rodríguez, who became the first trans miner in Patagonia.
The film is a Spanish-Argentine collaboration, directed by Agustina Macri and written by Erika Halvorsen and Mara Pescio.
Other cast members include Paco León, Laura Grandinetti, and Romina Escobar. Filming took place both in the Basque Country in Spain and in Argentina’s Patagonia region. Queen of Coal is set to premiere in Spanish theaters on June 12, and in Argentina on October 2. It will also compete in the ‘Progressive Cinema Competition – Visions for the World of Tomorrow’ at the 20th Rome Film Festival in October 2025.
You can check out the trailer on YouTube.
The story follows Carlita as she fights for a chance to work in the mines, breaking barriers in a job that was traditionally forbidden for women. Beatriz Martínez of Fotogramas called the film “an ode to resilience” and praised Pascal’s performance, though she noted that Paco León’s character was less impressive.
As expected, reactions on social media have been “mixed.” Some viewers joked, “He’s fighting against himself. Nice twist.” Others criticized the film as “peak virtue signaling meets mining simulator 2024.” Some were even harsher, saying, “99% of Netflix product is garbage. Unsubscribe and put your money into something better.” Another comment joked about the plot, writing, “Since the dawn of coal mining, trans coal miners have faced the difficult choice: do I prance around in panties or go and dig?”
Some “reviews” were a bit more elaborate. “I’m sorry I can’t stop laughing at how re***** this premise is lmao. A dude troons out and his DREAM is to get black lung, but is held back by this horrifyingly oppressive, patriarchal society which apparently can’t bring itself to NOT call him a woman and let him get lung cancer and cough up blood until he dies. No, he has to suffer and not dig for coal in the pitch blackness of the underground, and work in the kitchens with the womenfolk. Queen of Coal, indeed lmfaooo.”
Despite the online jokes, the story is based on real events. Spanish-language outlet Anfibia reports that Carla Antonella Rodríguez is recognized as “the first transgender woman miner in Río Turbio” in Argentina. She reportedly “managed to break the myth that prohibited women from working inside the mine.”
Local beliefs had long barred women from applying for mining jobs, even though these positions offered higher pay than surface work. Those positions were always the most coveted since the salary was higher than for surface work. By presenting as a woman, a man was able to challenge this rule, paving the way for women to access higher-paying mining jobs.
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