Transversais

"It was on August 15th, 2019 that President Jair Bolsonaro, in a live broadcast, began to discredit some Brazilian productions in tenders. The main highlight, however, was a series about five transgender people living in Ceará. Bolsonaro made fun of it, saying it was money thrown away. However, even though it took two more years, 'Transversais' resisted and was released. Directed by Emerson Maranhão, the production arrived differently to the general public. It is no longer a series, but a movie -- after all, in that tender that Bolsonaro disqualified, it was not approved. However, in a way, one can say that this disqualification of such a disqualified figure (which already turns everything into a great compliment) propelled 'Transversais'. We don't know how Maranhão's idea would have been in television format, but in the cinema it worked. Although somewhat limited in some aspects, the feature film exudes resistance. The feeling is that the director and screenwriter managed to overcome prejudice and hatred and, even with limitations, put a movie like this on its feet. The selection of stories about transgender people facing the challenges of everyday life in Ceará is powerful. We feel the pain of some of the characters, as well as the achievements of others. 'Transversais' tells stories we already know -- which weakens the movie as a whole -- but helps to give new visions and, above all, hope."