Worth: $14.00
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Cast:
Isabel Sandoval, Lynn Cohen, Eamon Farren
Intro:
…introspective niche cinema and a subtle nod to character study of those living on the margins as it taps into the desperate U.S. migrant experience… a quiet breakthrough in positive cinematic trans visibility.
The beauty of migrant stories is that they can be told culturally, emotionally or geographically and Lingua Franca [a language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different] is not only all three, but also America’s first feature film written, directed and starring a transgender filmmaker. Filipino born, New York-based Isabel Sandoval serves up a low-budget transgender-migrant drama set against the backdrop of Trump-era immigration angst and fittingly reflects upon a few kaleidoscopic intricacies in contemporary Transamerica.
Olivia (Sandoval) is a Filipino transwoman living illegally and on edge in the unenviable position of trying at all costs to obtain that all-elusive green card. She works as a live-in carer for Olga (Lynn Cohen), an elderly, senile, Russian widow slowly losing her grip on reality and living in Brooklyn. Not only is Olivia under pressure of having to financially support various relatives and a mother who calls a lot from back home in the Philippines, she’s living with the daily fear of being deported, particularly when Olga’s previous carer was forcibly taken away in an ICE raid (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
When Olivia loses her one sure bet of getting a green card, things fall apart. Then along comes Olga’s grandson, Alex (Aussie actor Eamon Farren). Direct from a Midwestern rehab centre, Alex has nothing; nothing but a queasy job at his uncle’s slaughterhouse and a spare room at grandma’s. Between them, Olivia and Alex – even if he’s not very good at it – begin to share duties in caring for Olga that sets up a gentle fanning of sparks that leads to physical passion. Alex is unaware of her trans status even as their romance deepens and we’re not sure what will eventuate, especially when Alex’s boorish mates are so macho, and Olivia is still in need of a green card fast.
Dive bars. Edgy urban landscapes. Sunlight slanting between buildings. New York subway trains. All the city’s elements anchor the film with lots of natural light. Lingua Franca at best is introspective niche cinema and a subtle nod to character study of those living on the margins as it taps into the desperate U.S. migrant experience. At worst, some scenes amble along and are a little dry with some on-the-nose dialogue, but overall, it’s a quiet breakthrough in positive cinematic trans visibility.
