Meloncholy French Hermaphrodite

[rynn]

Hi. I'm looking for the title of a French-language movie that was possibly made in the 80's or early 90's. It's set in France during the 1800's (or maybe very early 1900's), and it was based on true events.

The main character is a hermaphrodite who is living as a very modest woman. She seems to have no idea there is anything unusual about her body, even though she has never menstruated, and the movie seems to imply that she is wholly ignorant in matters concerning anatomy. She begins working at an all-girls school and falls in love with one of her fellow teachers, another woman. One night, she confesses her feelings for the other woman, and her lover discovers that she has a penis. She's examined by medical professionals, and it's determined that she has both male and female genitalia.

One of the most memorable scenes involves the doctor asking her mother why she never noticed/discussed her child's hermaphroditism. The mother replied, "One doesn't look down there." Or something to that effect.

Ultimately, the protagonist chooses to continue his life as a man; his love interest marries the town doctor; and he/she dies alone and heartbroken.

Anybody know the name of this uplifting movie?  I want to say it had the protagonist's name in the title...

[retrorussell]

Maybe Alexina (1985) aka The Mystery of Alexina

[rynn]

That's it. Thank you kindly.