41 years after high school sweethearts Marcel and Marijke parted, a letter arrives from Austria requesting that the Dutch City Council Search Service locate Marcel.  Marcel is now Marcella, having transitioned to female more than ten years prior.  Her old love Marijke has not forgotten about her Marcel, and both woman have since married, raised families and separated from their partners.  When Marcella and Marijke meet again, the fire is quickly rekindled and soon marriage is in the picture.

Eveline van Dijckís heartfelt and respectful documentary follows these two woman as they fall in love again, this time within their own large families comprised of children, grandchildren and ex-partners.  The follow up to van Dijckís 1993 doucmentary Change of View, Simply Love courageously shows rare images of women in their sixties falling into the full glory and heartache of love.

CONTACT FRAMELINE FOR RENTAL RATES

• "Simply Love is an uncommonly sweet story... Recommended."
            -Video Librarian
  
  "It has often been noted that sexual orientation is separate from gender identity, but no video illustrates that point as clearly as Simply Love (Holland). Simply Love follows Marcella, formerly Marcel, a Male to Female Transsexual who is found by an early Austrian crush, Marijke, when she writes a letter to Marcel's township. Marcella writes back, explaining that she has transitioned, and
• Marijke's interest remains strong. The two reunite passionately and quickly decide that Marijke will move to Holland and that they will wed. Predictably, their love is not easy. However, somewhat unpredictably, it is geographical difference and the accelerating speed of the new relationship, not anything to do with Transgender identity, that puts the breaks on Marcella and Marijke's relationship.  Marcella comments mid-film, 'They say that love conquers all, apparently not homesickness.' Ultimately, the break up is resolved and the two do reunite.  The video is universally sweet, even through the hard moments. The audience is left at a high point, and left with the thought that love can leap any obstacle after all.
          -Ray Rea, Assistant Professor, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Simply Love clip from Frameline Distribution on Vimeo.