By Aldo Padilla

Transsexualism can be seen as a weapon of protest, not against nature but against a society that imposes the basic rules of what a man and a woman are supposed to be. The idea of transsexualism is not to regret being born under certain gender, but to decide on what you want to do with your body, with your image against the world. Transsexualism is one of the most committed political acts, to decide against conventional rules and manifest a position in a radical way.

All these previous ideas are reflected and manifested in a very lucid way by Linn da Quebrada, protagonist of Bixa Travesty, where the political manifest on the impositions of society and sexism is expressed in a fun and didactic way through music, dialogue with other people and radical discourses, in which one can understand how a simple act of resistance can allow to bury the sexist discourse. Funk, which is something that defines Brazil, is the most powerful weapon Linn has, a weapon that with acid lyrics and impressive performatic intensity allows her message to pierce deep. From sexual freedom, to the attack of classical ideas of what a female body should look like, Linn breaks with everything, supporting herself in the strong self-esteem she possesses, a love for herself that Is shown in every moment, love which supplies the necessary confidence to keep ahead with her struggle.

Priscilla and Goifman entangle an energetic montage through the registry of Linn’s different performance, where it is shown that this energy is in every performance, in small or large venues. Also, the shooting of the creation of her melody and lyrics born in a spontaneous way seem to be in harmony with the form the singer lives her daily life, reinforced with the interaction with her friends in struggle, and great moments of comic relief where the protagonist’s great wit is shown. All of this shows that her body is in harmony with what her mind tries to express. Only a small passage shows a fragile Linn, an instant were she remember the complex cancer she had to dealt with, which provided a better conscience and comprehension of her body, an illness to understand her limits and be better equipped beyond the posed challenge.

Bixa Travesty is the great surprise of the festival, among movies that seem to focus in human ambiguity and lack of intention, this film clearly bets for a discourse without Manichaeism, with no concessions, and with rabid verses which show a great fortitude among a Brazil that’s going through one of its most complex moments in years, where conservatism and corruption seem to ravage it all.

Directors: Claudia Priscilla, Kiko Goifman
Script: Claudia Priscilla, Linn da Quebrada, Kiko Goifman
Cast: Linn da Quebrada, Jup do Bairro, Liniker, As Bahias e a Cozinha Mineira
Cinematography: Karla da Costa
Editing: Olivia Brenga
Music: Linn da Quebrada