Teri Underhill

In a small kitchen rich with memory, Lucia teaches her daughter Mariana how to make pollo guisado, a cherished family recipe passed down from generations upon generations. As they cook, Lucia shares stories of her childhood, weaving together food, family, and culture in every simmering pot. What begins as a lesson in cooking becomes something much deeper—a quiet ritual of connection, memory, and love. As time passes, Mariana finds herself returning to the recipe, now carrying the weight of legacy in her own hands.

Garden of Des Moines is an intimate interview-style short film that follows drag performers in Iowa as they navigate the challenges of being queer in a conservative state. Through personal stories, the film explores the difficulties they face, from political pushback to societal pressures, while highlighting the joy, resilience, and freedom they find in drag. Set against Iowa's landscape, the film captures the vibrant, defiant beauty of queer expression flourishing in unexpected places