The Mothers of Derick

Trans circus artist Lui doesn’t only play with gender, he plays with color, movement, and sexuality. He also wants his partner to see who he is beyond his gender, but isn’t sure that she does.

As the international press pours into Havana, Cuba to report on the death of Fidel Castro, a little girl proudly holds a large cardboard sign over her head on the Plaza de la Revolución. In a fascinating shot lasting almost 12 minutes, we watch this girl-braids, red dress, white knee socks, fighting against the wind-as she experiences her moment in the spotlight. We can't see what's written on the sign because she's being filmed from behind. Armed with cameras and cell phones, the people around her are taking countless photos and uninvited selfies with her. As the minutes tick by, our unease grows. Placed in the role of an ignorant spectator, we have time to contemplate the omnipresence of the camera-and we become desperate to know what's written on that sign.

Cássio is a young transgender person undergoing hormone therapy and determined to have a conversation with their elderly father about it, when the COVID-19 pandemic derails their plans. Amidst social isolation, a lockdown inside a small apartment, a virtual social life, and a severe political crisis in his country, Cássio tries to build up the courage to follow through with the plan. Living and recording this context becomes an attempt to bring these two people together.