My Emptiness and I

Directed with rare sensitivity and compassion “My Emptiness and I”, director Adrian
Silvestre’s second feature film, is following a young transgender woman living in Barcelona and working an unsatisfying job at a call center. She yearns for “normal romance” and for a man who would love her the way she is. She fantasizes of a sweeping romance with handsome men and of starting a traditional family. As it turns out, reality is much more complicated and she experiences a series of embarrassing dates while also dealing with her physical transition.
Director Adrian Silvestre accompanies her daily life, as she talks candidly with co-workers, queer friends and men she meets through dating apps, while trying to find her place in the world.
The main character, portrayed by Raphaelle Perez (who also co-wrote the script), seems to exude vulnerability and naiveté with gazes full of longing.

Screening in cooperation with The Gila Project for Trans Empowerment

Wildhood

Link is doing his best to protect his younger brother Travis from their father’s violent rages. But one night he discovers a dark family secret and realizes that he must leave his father, who symbolizes the violent cultural evisceration of European colonization. Yet Link cannot accept who he really is – even hearing his native language triggers feelings of aggression and resentment.
Pasmay, a young vagabond he meets on his journey, is sympathetic to Link and his younger brother’s situation and decides to put his own life on hold in order to help Link to find his way.
Wildhood” is director Bretten Hannam’s second film. This is a road trip film following a young Native-Canadian man on his journey of self-discovery and unveiling a heritage he knew nothing about. It is also a delicate, sensitive and sexy love story of a couple Two-Spirit young adults.

Sublime

16 years old Manuel and Felipe live in a beach town in Argentina. They’ve known each other their whole lives and do everything together. They are best friends and formed a rock band together. Like most teenagers they spend most of their time thinking about and planning for sex. Felipe helps Manuel convert an old truck into a secret love nest where they can have some privacy with their girlfriends. Their debut concert is going to be at the end of the year ball and they are working hard towards it. Felipe is a very talented songwriter, whose lyrics mostly deal with unfulfilled desire. Felipe is hiding a secret, he’s struggling with his feelings and his desire for Manuel. A few days before the concert Felipe’s frustration and the turmoil inside his bubbles up to the surface and threatens to ruin his and Manuel’s friendship and the future of their band.
Writer and director Mariano Biasin captures a piece of lively teen spirit, full of passion and hurt of a young man who’s in love with his best friend that cannot return the love he craves.

Additional screening: Rosh Pina Cinematheque 5.11, 18:00