“Love is… actions!”.  This documentary is based on Mi$$ Mikey diaries. It’s an experimental visual project by writer-director Dano García, co-written by Tonatiuh Israel, photographed by Diego Tenorio, with music by Pablo Horn, and starring Mickey Cundapi Bustamante, a trans multidisciplinary artist who, alongside García, uses play and performance to res-signify the past and inhabit the present.

Bright, flashy colors in the opening sequence introduce us to indistinguishable images that may also refer to the inner disquiet of the protagonist.  A face and body silhouette turns into a green screen with projections, idealized bodies and, as a constant from start to finish, sea waters from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, so called the Pearl of the Pacific, where waves “have a conversation, unintentionally crash hugging each other, laughing at the unforgiving mystery of life” (quoting a poem I´d had just got from a friend).

The film discloses Notes with suggestive captions as chapters in a story, referring to “My first pair of high heels”, “Where is the wig?”, “Life after death” and a comeback, the return to Mickey´s place, revisiting the years in middle school when she/her dared to live but wasn´t allowed to be who she/her is.

The narrative goes from the present time to the past through video clips as flashbacks via vintage pictures, videos and digital animation in windows/screens, a whimsical experimental gathering that fits well to tell a story of gender transition and resilience. There are reenactments too. 

We learn Mickey went to a Catholic school, and at 15 bought his/hers first pair of stilettos (wearing them provided an indescribable sense of freedom and sexiness), that at 12 he/she wore make up to go to Mass… and on other ocassion used pink heels at a school meeting…  these actions among others made him/her feel empowered and in a hot body.  As a conclusion, she/her strength comes from within after having a happy childhood and the support of a loving immediate family and a small group of trusty friends.

We also learn Mickey´s process wasn´t easy at all; there was discontent, confusion, loneliness, fear, and the shadow of suicide.  There were father issues, the extreme measure of burning the house down because of resentment,  and new beginnings too. 

There are acts of love, and light overcomes shadows. The documentary successfully explores when self-identity and confidence are strengths.  7/10