LATINX STORIES
The films on this page focus heavily on the LGBTQ Latinx experiences in America, including Puerto Rico.
To find these resources through your local library, please use the invaluable Worldcat.org and search by Title or Director or use the search box below!
Brincando El Charco: Portrait of a Puerto Rican. Dir. Frances Negron-Muntaner, 1996. 58 minutes
This stylish, poetic, boisterous film breathlessly weaves heartfelt interviews with dramatic, documentary, and avant-garde elements to explore the complexities and intersections of Puerto Rican identity. LGBT issues such as the AIDS epidemic and culturally rooted homophobia are explored at length but what sets this film apart is its deep understanding of how those issues intersect with manifestations of racism, such as colorism and cultural and linguistic snobbery. This film is far ahead of its time in its holistic portrayal of queer Puerto Ricans specifically and QPOC broadly.
El Canto del Colibri. Dir. Marco Castro-Bojorquez, 2015. 53 minutes
Immigrants from Latin American nations have not had nearly the voice or representation they deserve in media – certainly not LGBTQ immigrants and their families. This documentary focuses on families with LGBTQ members, and how the patriarchs of those families have wrestled with unlearning homophobic and transphobic attitudes prevalent in both their nations of origin and in America. The film draws wise connections between the types of racism and xenophobia these immigrants have faced and their fears for what their family members will face, all without equating prejudices or oversimplifying. The families tell insightful and fascinating stories of love and acceptance, but also the hard work they’ve had to do to put family above intolerance. This inspiring film is a vital teaching tool and a long overdue amplification of voices silenced.
De Colores. Dir. Peter Barbosa and Garrett Lenoir, 2001. 28 minutes
This quietly uplifting documentary short features a series of interviews with Latinx families about their struggles with family members coming out, the fear and conflict this brought to the surface, and how the families matured past the homophobia and usually grew closer. A common theme amongst the parents and siblings of queer family is being confronted with the often homophobic assumptions and mores of society, religion, and culture and learning how to process and prioritize family over prejudices. Though not intended to be representative of a universal Latinx experience, it does provide numerous lessons of growth and acceptance. The voices represented here will be especially useful to parents and families of QPOC.
Desi’s Looking For a New Girl. Dir. Mary Guzman, 2000. 71 minutes
In this groundbreaking comedy, widely acknowledged as the first feature film in America centering on Latinx lesbians, Desi is reeling from a devastating breakup and her close-knit circle of family and friends make it their mission to help her get back on her feet again. Through charmingly rendered scenes of warm and energetic friendship, bold artistic choices like occasional animated interludes, and hilarious dating mishaps, this film draws the viewer in to its characters’ lives. This genuinely heartwarming film is a joy to watch.
Gun Hill Road. Dir. Rashad Ernesto Green, 2011. 86 minutes
With an uncommonly empathetic tone, Gun Hill Road examines the relationship between Enrique (Esai Morales), a volatile parolee trying to navigate life outside of prison, and his daughter Vanessa, a gifted young trans woman, who Enrique, due to his long incarceration, has previously only known as his son, Michael. Enrique’s ideas of masculinity put him at odds with Vanessa (the first ever Trans Independent Spirit award nominee, Harmony Santana), often with traumatic results, but he painstakingly comes to turns with how the mistakes of his past are playing out in his familial relationships. This film strikes a delicate balance between hopeful and realistic, right up to its wrenching conclusion.
Kiki. Dir. Sara Jordeño, 2016. 96 minutes
This deeply affecting spiritual sequel to the classic Paris is Burning closely examines Ball and Drag culture almost 30 years later, specifically focusing on a number of mostly Black and Latinx queer and trans performers trying to learn, survive and thrive in sometimes very harsh realities. Though Kiki is clearly channeling and building on its predecessor, its artistic ambition and intense interest in painting deeply human portraits of its subject are simply remarkable. Kiki also zooms out beyond just the ballroom scene and focuses on several issues including the continued devastation of homophobia, transphobia, and HIV/AIDS despite years of ostensible progress, as well as the complex reasons people choose to transition and, fascinatingly, what life after retiring from drag looks like. This is a must-see.
Mala Mala. Dir. Dan Sickles and Antonio Santini, 2014. 88 minutes
This energetic and highly stylized documentary examines the unique experiences of trans people living in Puerto Rico. Against the backdrop of the historic fight to pass Law 238-2014, which banned employment discrimination in Puerto Rico based on sexual orientation and gender identity, we follow the experiences of a dozen trans Puerto Ricans as they navigate activism, making a living, transphobia, and the difficult business of finding their true communities. This vigorously infectious documentary shines a light on people and a unique American experience that is widely overlooked.
La Mission. Dir. Peter Bratt, 2009. 117 minutes
Benjamin Bratt stars as a tough-as-nails Che Rivera, respected in his mostly Latinx community for his strength, his mechanical know-how and his perseverance in overcoming a past that included alcoholism and time in prison. However, when he discovers his son Jes (fiercely played by Jeremy Ray Valdez) is gay, the tension between them explodes and Che realizes there are limits to what his hypermasculinity has prepared him for in life. Though one wishes Jes’s story was a little more fleshed out, this film crafts a fascinating narrative about the internal duel of love and hate and the devastation that can arise from letting hatred guide one’s actions.
Mosquita y Mari. Dir. Aurora Guerrero, 2012. 85 minutes
One of the most endearing cinematic female friendships is at the center of this warm and empathetic coming-of-age tale. Mosquita is a driven straight-A high schooler with strict parents who hold fast to the idea that education is her ladder out of the poverty that has devastated their mostly Latinx community. When hard-edged Mari joins the school, they feel an unexpected magnetism for each other. The film wisely does not apply too many labels to the protagonists’ romantic friendship, but the two young women learn a great deal about themselves and each other as this beautifully shot exploration of young attraction unfolds.
Paris is Burning. Dir. Jennie Livingston, 1990. 78 minutes
There isn’t much more to write about this barnstorming, iconic, groundbreaking, barrier-destroying, seminal documentary about drag and ball culture in New York in the 1980s. Still routinely shown 30 years later, this documentary shed light on an innovative and endlessly creative group of performers and their culture that the world still cannot get enough of. More than perhaps any other film on this list, Paris is Burning is absolutely essential viewing for QTPOC and, one might argue, the world. With equal parts humor, suspense, and tragedy, this film still stands as a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking. It simply must be seen.
South Beach on Heels. Dir. Dmitry Zhitov, 2014. 80 minutes
This warm and empathetic documentary focuses on the lives, trials and tribulations of professional drag queens, mostly of color, working in the South Beach area of Florida. Some of the featured queens, such as luminous and enchanting Latrice Royale, have achieved much exposure and mainstream success, and some still work tirelessly at their craft with a much lower profile and no guarantee of fame or even a steady paycheck. Deeply personal and heartfelt moments and insights into the lives of these drag performers set this documentary apart from the rest in this increasingly popular subgenre of drag documentaries.
Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four. Dir. Deborah Esquenazi, 2016. 91 minutes
This Peabody Award-winning documentary shines a spotlight on an infuriating miscarriage of justice involving 4 Latinx lesbian women accused of sexually assaulting a child. The jury, clouded by homophobia, racism, and an absurd fit of Satanic Panic, derailed these women’s lives by sentencing them to long jail sentences, despite the lack of any credible evidence. Along with the tireless efforts of family, activists, lawyers and a key witness who recanted their false testimony, this film was instrumental in their eventual release after more than a decade of jail time. In addition to telling the story of these remarkable, determined women, this documentary also serves as an exploration of how insidious racism and homophobia can trump the truth and justice in America’s criminal justice system.
U People. Dir. Hanifah Walida, 2009. 75 minutes
This self-styled “rockumentary” is an amazing curiosity in the best sense of the word. A group of queer Black and Latinx women come together to film a short film and music video, but Walida keeps the camera going beyond this project and catches a series of profoundly engaging conversations amongst the cast about the intersectionalities of living life as a Black lesbian in America. These discussions range from topics of privilege, being ignored by white LGBT activism, gender expression and quality of life, heteronormativity, and difficulty defining oneself when different identities and labels (bisexual, trans, lesbian, butch, femme, etc.) only partially apply to one’s experience. As these women express engagingly diverse opinions, the filming of the short film within this film provides an excellent narrative structure that grounds and focuses the film. Though they differ and disagree, they’re all working hard toward a meaningful end goal and it’s beautiful to behold.
Voguing: The Message. Dir. Dorothy Low, 1989. 13 minutes
This fast-paced introduction to the origins and culture of voguing and ball culture has perhaps been overshadowed a bit by Paris is Burning, which was released around the same time, but is nonetheless and excellent companion piece. As a primer, it very quickly orients the viewer to the terminology and the basic infrastructure of the NYC ball scene. In addition to this whirlwind introduction to the culture and how it adds value and meaning to the lives of its participants, we also get to see virtuoso performers like the legendary Willi Ninja practice their craft. This is an excellent addition to the canon, especially for those in a hurry.