DESIRE IS A HUMAN RIGHT, FOR EVERYONE. Joao Paulo LimaThe first sequence of this Brazilian documentary is a long descriptive one, orally rich and visually intriguing with silhouettes that fade out to allow what follows, a profoundly human narrative right up to the end.
The film is a salutation to the ancestors whose bodies have been erased, defaced, denied, used in experiments, objectivized, dehumanized… in combination with testimonies of the ancestors of those who will come, through interviews with Giovanni Venturini, Lele Martins, Tuca Munhoz, Cida Leite, Amanda Soares, Dudé, Clara Sasse, Ivone de Oliveira, Pedro Petrucio, Luciana Viegas, Edu Oliveira, Luana Rayalla, Cacá Fernandez, Jéssica Teixeira and Joao Paulo Lima,.
A polyphony that sings for the diversity, a colorful patchwork quilt wrapping the bodies of persons with disabilities (PWD) that share with the camera their inner feelings, emotions and experiences of rejection, acceptance and attraction.
As we all know, to have sex is not to be in love, and when sex comes to a relationship it gets complicated, there is also the idea of romantic love… it is important for everyone to be clear about these.
The film shatters the notion of perfect bodies, and states that there is always the possibility to transform disabilities in advantages.
Beauty is subjective, this premise should allow coexistence and the deconstruction of normatively standards and rationalities, after all, it is liberating to know what to do and how.
Since we are all raised in the heterosexual mold, film also considers there should not be issues regarding gender; for tastes, colors.
Documentary collapses the concept of “normal” anatomy going against obtrusive prejudices based on the appearance of someone’s body disrespecting the limits traditionally imposed and peeling taboos on the body.
The film raises questions on what makes you masculine or feminine, what is right or wrong in our bodies allowing endless possibilities for pleasure and suggesting to have a body that what it wants, it does.
As a consequence of the world of images in which we are immersed Tod Browning movies and Diane Arbus work come to mind while watching this deeply moving film directed by Daniel Goncalvez, that makes a statement on the bodies of persons with disabilities here and now.
Awarded by the Grand Jury of the Newfest The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival 2023.
PS. The Director, Daniel Gonçalves was born with a disability that no doctor has been able to diagnose. In the personal documentary “My Name is Daniel”, the young Rio-based filmmaker traces his life’s path to try to understand his condition. Through family archive footage and footage recorded nowadays, you’ll take a walk-through Daniel’s moments, stories, and reflections. (available on Amazon Prime)
Review by José Mayorga , Guatemala, Central America lawyer and notary public, visual artist, and editor of El Azar Cultural, lives and works in Guatemala City. Cinema lover, curious about the possibilities life brings and eager to live the experience.
