Presented last night at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, this 2020 Oscar/Golden Globes entry from Panama is one for the books. The film beautifully captures the country of Panama- it's landscapes, waterfalls and panoramic beauty. Even tho the film presents the struggle of Federico, a family man who is forging through the process of becoming a woman, the movie has much more to say. It's about living truthfully the one and only life we have, despite the hate and blowblack that comes with your choices. The film presents itself in a society that does not allow people who suffer from gender dysphoria to be who they really are because of programmed ideologies which are tunnel focused and rejects any other possibilities other than their own values. The struggle, the hurt, and the situation imposed on this family is made to challenge every member at its core. The core of who they really are and what matters most to them - what others will say or having meaningful relationships with their loved ones. The concept of the new families is nothing new. In the 60, young people moved from all over the country to San Francisco looking to meet like minded individuals. There is where communes started. In this film, the idea of the new families suggest that we value the individuality of the people who surround us. We do not need to accept their every choice, but if you choose to be in their life or vice versa, respect is in order. Respect for who they really are. Respect for the concept and ideas that make up that that person, not their external cocoon. Our bodies change, decay and eventually die and what are we left with? The remembrance of who that person was inside and how they touched the lives of others.
Even more fascinating was the Q@A of director Arturo Montenegro -moderated by Jorge Ameer. The actor, who plays the younger son of Federico in the film was invited on stage to say a few words. To the complete shock to the audience, the young actor confessed that he too was bullied horribly for acting in this film by his peers at school. He stated that the situation got so far out of control, he would come home crying to his mother. But if you heard this young man speak, you'd understand that this kid is well raised, and has more empathy and compassion at his age in his pinky finger than most grown adults do. Who knows, maybe because his view of the world has not been tainted as the adults counterpart, but here is to you kid. May your love and compassion shine through the hatred and jealousy you've experienced at school for making this movie. And if and when you read this review, please do remind your haters and detractors that you were in Hollywood changing the world while they were there basking in bullying and being less than...at the end of the day ppl will always choose love over hate so hanging there. And to the mother who raised you - kudos to her. This film deserved at least a nomination, and if it wins- the more the better as it's a story that needs to be told - a message that's desperately in need of sharing. Let's not forget that here in the U.S, 19 trans women to date have been murdered. Not helping is the fact that the trans community is under attacks by the current administration, spiking the rise of hate crimes. And that's why you should go out there and watch and support this film, because it's about tolerance, respect and at the end of the day - love, because we only have one life to live- live it to the fullest. If you hear about this film in your neighborhood, do not hesitate to watch it. It proves to be an effective and timely feel, if at all, because it sets the stage for an open dialogue, a exchange of opinions and many debates hidden within its themes.
