The Garden Left Behind

Anyone who consumes film to be informed, educated, inspired, as well as to be entertained; who has an empathetic heart, a love of people (however they identify), a faith in fairness, of justice and of equality can't fail to be affected by the story and performances presented here. It has its faults and shortcomings, its not the best film you'll see this year, occasionally the grass ceases to grow - but none of that is due to the orientation of any of the characters, who bravely bring to your attention the challenges they face, just for being themselves, just for living their lives and for just wanting to be accepted for who they truly are and want to be.

Saw this at SXSW, where Brazilian director Flavio Alves won the audiences' award. The movie is about Tina, a trans-woman from Mexico, living as illegal immigrant together with her caring grandmother in New York. The movie is almost shot like a documentary, following Tina's struggle with love, anti-trans violence, and her medical and psychological transition to become a woman. Shot with mainly first-time actors from the New York trans activist scene (and a supporting role by Michael Madsen as barkeeper) the movie feels completely authentic and realistic. The director and his co-writer John Rotondo mentioned at a Q&A at SXSW that they had no prior knowledge about trans women, they wanted to learn more about this marginalized (and stigmatised) group, thus they made this film. The film heavily benefits from the producers' curiosity, the film is only partially activist, more an empathic study of people living on the edge of society. I myself did not know a lot about trans women, however, I could quite easily resonate with the protagonists' feelings and experiences. Basically, it is about love and hate and friendship, about trying to find out who you are and how to find your place in life.

THE GARDEN LEFT BEHIND Brazilian Director Flavio Alves' debut feature is an accomplished tale of compassion, transition and activism against transgender violence. A gorgeously shot and insightful transitional story, the film is a complex study on Tina, a taxi driver struggling with identity in New York City. She lives with her grandmother with whom she has a tender, very close relationship. Her grandmother accepts the way she is, though yet confused by the circumstances she insists on calling her "Antonio", her birth name. Tall, attractive and charismatic, Tina has a strong, firm presence in public, something that leads her to comfort those around her- inside her taxi, around the neighborhood, at the grocery store, hanging out with her girlfriends. She dates a Latino man for two years and they dream of her operation, as she enters she visits doctors to evaluate her condition. But things are more complicated. Her undocumented status doesn't favor her beneficial opportunities, such as a quality job to maintain her grandmother and fulfill her surgery needs. Director Flavio composes a precious, vibrant and highly emotional drama about finding your identity and fighting against violence. Brilliantly observed, he digs up her personal crisis (hormonal, professional, emotional), her financial and documental troubles as a master of storytelling, crafting an accurate, intimate and subtly erotic drama. On the other side of the community, the film attaches the intriguing and mysterious story of a bullied Grocery clerk, who is obviously a closet gay case, spending his free time hanging out and watching porn with a bunch of other losers. He has a creepy, deeply disturbing quiet behavior and becomes interested on Tina as she regularly shops at his working place. Massively awarded at many Festivals around the Globe and Winner of the Audience Award at SXSW, Writer-Director-Producer Alves also succeeds in both political comments: the negligence over the marginalized -Tina and her friends start an activist movement calling for rights as a trans named Rosie was brutally attacked by two cops- and immigration issues, Tina is still waiting for a chance to become legal in the country, in opposition to her grandmom's wish to return to their native Mexican gardens of the title. The relationships she develops is also masterly effective and tender: her devotion to her grandmom, the trust and reliability on her girlfriends, the loyalty to her boyfriend, the intimate conversations with her much older analyst, her clients either at the taxi or the bar counter. Entirely efficient, well acted, uplifting and heart-moving, a new cinematic voice has been born.

Brazilian filmmaker, Flavio Alves enlisted an ensemble from emerging Latinx actor, Carlie Guevara to Veteran Latina actor, Miriam Cruz portraying Mexican immigrants in the independent film, "The Garden Left Behind" (2019).

This film had a grounded agenda to showcase a humane telling of a Gen Zer seeking their independence. The main character, "Tina" (born "Antonio") helmed by Guevara seeks transition (male to female) but also concerned with the dilemma of supporting their immigrant Mexican grandmother (Miriam Cruz as "Eliana") as an undocumented New York City (NYC) worker. This film also stars established actors Ed Asner (famous from the 70s Mary Tyler Moore show) and Michael Madsen.

The thematic interplay of battling transphobia and seeking "resident" status is balanced out well. The performances of cast, break the usual tropes in how trans characters have been seen within the last 20 years in independent cinema. Notable recent independent films that can be seen at least for Trans Latinx representation is "Gun Hill Road" (2011) that starred "La Bamba" famed castmember, Esai Morales.

Alves's chosen location shots were relatively supportive of an undocumented life in an urban environment. It's also depicts community activism for the largely ignored situation that "Trans Lives Matter" and the importance for NYC's recent Trans Latinx hate crime awareness.

Few transgender movie theme be frank, comparing to gay, I believe the T really much smaller market. Probably it's one of few, things happening are kinda expected. Haven't said that, it is good movie. Let us know how these people live and discrimination is hard to eliminate. People judge by appearance and it's hard to remove the fact of it. It's reality but this movie did remind me an important point. We only live once.