Paloma (Portuguese)

Brazil’s trans community may seem more accepted or even established than others, but, as is often the case, it’s paper thin and probably not as acceptable in smaller towns and poo rural communities. This film about a trans woman's dream of getting her dream wedding in a church may feel simple and straight forward; but the film is about he journey of unmatched strength of one woman who dares to dream and would go to any lengths to achieve that dream.

Black, poor and illiterate Paloma lives with her husband Zé raising Paloma's daughter together. They are in a very happy space. Paloma works at a farm, has a decent circle of friends and are getting by Zé loves her. Casual jibes and threats accompany her wherever she goes but her support system is strong; yet she feels and dreams of a white wedding in a church, which as per everyone could be a risky move. But she wants it. Her local priest refuses to do that , even though he respects Paloma and accommodates her. He eventually finds out about a priest who will conduct a weeding in a remote place but since she wants it in a church, it will be costly. They arrange of money and Zé is fully into it. What they don't realize is that a church wedding of a trans woman becomes big news on TV and in the town. Cracks start appearing between the couple during their honeymoon, when Zé's construction co-worker send him teasing videos and his mother publicly disowns him on TV. They fight with Zé blaming Paloma for ruining their perfect life just because of her dream and eventually leaves her. Paloma doesn't regret her decision. She wanted a community and religious acceptance both, which depending on how you see it, she may have gotten but with a price to pay. At the end we find out how Paloma had a daughter and how she needs to make her path for future with an open ending.

The film tries to bring to screen an interesting perspective and nuances of the life of a Brazilian transgender person in Brazil countryside. The character of Paloma is that of a strong confident woman. We ar not told anything about her background, but they way she carries herself, you a tell she has seen lot of troubles in life and is finally in a space of happiness having her family. But she is seeking religious community's acceptance and a church wedding, as per her, would be a testimony to that and of course, it has always also been her dream. This is what she sees as sealing her place in the community. Brazil’s broad church of spirituality means her quest isn’t as doomed as it might initially seem, but it becomes increasingly clear that it’s going to cost her in ways she doesn’t anticipate. The film is apparently based and inspired from a true incident and has its genuinely moving moments of happiness and disappointment, though the narrative feels padded at times, incorporating incidents that don't quite make sense. The film is slow burning but nice. The star of the show the the real life trans actor playing Paloma (who, btw, looks absolutely beautiful in the wedding dress). She does a fantastic job portraying the character, but somehow the film lacked the depth that you would expect. Also, Zé's character takes a complete u-turn which didn't make much sense. They were already living as a couple, and my assumption is people knew about them, although we are never told about it. So when the wedding news comes out, why is there so much hatred form the man towards Paloma, who was so far one of the most understanding person in Paloma's life and really to do anything to make sure she is always happy. This was a little hard for me to digest. But besides that, I thought it was a good attempt to show what happens when a trans person who has been permitted to live a life by her rural community want story step out of the shadows and challenge the system and beliefs. (6.5/10)