Bixa Travesty (Tranny Fag)

A strong personal declaration of independence and strength, Bixa Travesty flies in the face of the established gender binary. We experience in this documentary first hand the life and times of Linn da Quebrada, a self-proclaimed “tranny fag” born from the favelas of São Paulo. Taking us through her personal journey, she reveals and proclaims her insights on what it means to be a woman, offering a new perspective on the definition of the word.

Quebrada’s performances are loud, abrasive and unapologetic. In a film that’s not for the faint of heart, she uses radical self-expression to obliterate heteronormative constructs of gender and to assert the notion that a woman is not defined by her genitals. While many of the performances have a shock value element that can be rather coarse, directors Claudia Priscilla and Kiko Goifman wisely include moments of vulnerability that reveal their subject’s softer side in the form of intimate moments at home and her artistic exploration during her cancer treatment. Informal talk radio discussions with fellow trans woman Jup do Bairro on gender, femininity and the daily struggles faced by trans women in society paint the picture of a woman on the brink of a revolution. Through her art and ultimately through herself, Quebrada challenges us to think beyond what we believe we know about gender and open ourselves up to the possibility of fluidity in our definitions.

Although a powerful statement for Quebrada and undoubtedly for the trans community, Bixa Travesty is a difficult piece to land. Justifiably, it’s a shocking film. Shock value is often at the core of many catalysing moments of change in many movements, and therefore it’s understandable why this documentary is as abrasive as it is. The danger is that if these moments aren’t adequately countered with enough instances that foster empathy, the effect can be rather isolating. While there was a clear effort made in this direction, the scales never quite even out and we’re left with a film that, although admirable, is not necessarily impactful in a greater sense. It’s a tenacious announcement of one woman and her personal ethos but that’s where Bixa Travesty begins and ends.

Zoe Tamara

Bixa Travesty (Tranny Fag) does not have a UK release date yet.

Read more reviews from our Berlin Film Festival 2018 coverage here.

For further information about the event visit the Berlin Film Festival website here.

Watch the trailer for Bixa Travesty (Tranny Fag) here: