Bixa Travesty (2018), by Claudia Priscilla and Kiko Goifman
Last March, the world was horrified with the news of Brazilian counsellor Marielle Franco’s murder. She was a politician with every characteristic necessary to defy the most conservative Brazilian status quo (dominated by middle to high class, straight, white males over fifty years old): born in the favelas, teen mom, black and lesbian. The Latin-American country is one of the most affected by homophobia despite being a global gay tourist attraction.
For that reason, this documentary is more relevant than ever. Linn da Quebrada, its main character, is a black trans woman who performs as a pop star while defending people of colour in favelas. Together with her friend – also, trans and singer – Jup de Bairro, they offer unparalleled concerts and performances full of vindication, fight, revolutionary ideas, extravaganza, lots of hip movements and joy. Meet two of the most relevant figures in Brazilian underground. The documentary won the Teddy Prize to Best Documentary at this year’s Berlinale.