In 2019, director Carina Sama released Con Nombre de Flor, a powerful documentary that delves into the life of Malva, a trans woman who defied the odds, surviving well beyond the average life expectancy of a trans person. At 95 years old, Malva was not only a living testament to the resilience and struggles of the trans community but also a deeply committed activist who shaped the movement for transgender rights in Argentina. This documentary, which explores themes of identity, marginalization, and resistance, serves as a poignant reminder of the personal and collective histories that have often been silenced or erased.
Malva’s life was a testament to perseverance. Living in a nursing home in Buenos Aires, she faced the ailments and limitations of old age, but her memories of a vibrant and active life were still vivid. Every weekend, she traveled to her home in Villa Urquiza, where she kept the remnants of her past - artifacts of a life lived on her own terms. Born in Chile, she crossed the Andes on foot, leaving her roots behind and forging new worlds. Throughout her life, she was a cook, a writer, a costumer, and a revolutionary. She lived well beyond the average life expectancy for a trans person, making her a living anomaly in a society that often marginalized or outright criminalized transgender people. Malva was a part of a generation that faced immense adversity, from persecution under dictatorships to discrimination in democratic periods. Despite these challenges, Malva created a life of purpose and significance, influencing many and leaving an indelible mark on the trans community. Her activism and militancy, especially during the 1940s and beyond, remain a core focus of Sama’s documentary. Tragically, Malva passed away just one week before the filming of the documentary began. However, Sama had spent a year and a half conducting in-depth interviews with Malva, during which she shared the story of her life. These conversations form the backbone of the film, offering an intimate and personal look into the life of a woman who survived multiple lifetimes’ worth of hardship, transformation, and resistance.
Sama’s direction in Con Nombre de Flor combines traditional documentary filmmaking with animation to creatively convey the emotional and physical barriers that Malva and the broader trans community have faced. The film intertwines interviews, archival footage, and images of Malva’s life, including journalistic articles that often portrayed the trans community in a deeply negative light. Sama also incorporates audio-visual materials from the media, which historically reinforced the marginalization and criminalization of trans individuals. In addition to the live-action footage, the documentary features animation by Hernán Bressan, which symbolizes the labyrinthine struggles trans people have to navigate in their daily lives. This symbolic representation highlights the societal obstacles they face and provides a visual language for the challenges, both physical and psychological, of being part of the trans community.
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A key theme in Con Nombre de Flor is the exploration of the social and political marginalization of trans individuals. Sama’s film sheds light on the systemic violence trans people experienced - not only from the state but also from the church, the media, and society at large. Malva’s life story highlights the brutal repression trans individuals faced, including imprisonment in the Devoto prison, where many were detained, tortured, and even kidnapped for reasons as absurd as "vagrancy," "public indecency," or "gender identity display." The documentary also touches on the role of the media in exacerbating this exclusion. Journalists often used derogatory and prejudiced language when reporting on trans individuals, reinforcing stereotypes and further alienating them from mainstream society. Sama uses these articles as a way to critique the harmful practices of the press during those times, and the way they perpetuated negative narratives about the trans community. Amidst the hardship and persecution, Malva was a leader. She was a key figure in the group Maricas Unidas Argentinas (MUA), a collective of trans activists who fought against the criminalization of their community. MUA raised funds and provided food and support to those imprisoned in Devoto, and they created a newsletter to keep their community informed about legal victories and personal stories. This active militancy played a crucial role in advocating for the rights of trans people, both politically and socially.
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Sama’s approach to filmmaking is both reflective and analytical, weaving together intimate interviews, historical analysis, and poetic imagery. She uses close-ups to create a sense of intimacy, capturing the details of Malva’s life, such as the way she held her glasses or walked with a cane. These visual choices create a sense of trust and connection, offering a window into the physical and emotional toll of Malva’s long life. The film also challenges traditional narrative structures, using escorzo, a technique borrowed from the visual arts, to create a more three-dimensional perspective. This unconventional approach allows Sama to break free from traditional filmmaking norms and reflect the complexity of Malva’s identity and life journey. In doing so, Sama presents a story that is as much about the struggles of the trans community as it is about the universal search for identity and meaning. The documentary is further enriched by its soundtrack, composed by Félix Sama. The music alternates between dramatic, tension-filled piano sequences and festive rhythms, such as maracas and tambourines, which evoke the celebratory spirit of the spaces where trans people found freedom and expression. These spaces - like carnivals, theater performances, and even prison shows - became vital areas for trans people to reclaim their autonomy, build community, and express their identities.
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Ultimately, Con Nombre de Flor is not just the story of one woman; it is the story of an entire community that has been marginalized, criminalized, and persecuted for generations. Malva’s narrative becomes a touchstone for understanding the broader struggles faced by trans individuals, as well as the resilience and resistance that have defined their fight for justice. In reflecting on the impact of her work, Sama notes how Malva’s death became a catalyst for the film’s direction. Despite the challenge of losing Malva just before the filming began, Sama was determined to honor the essence of the story Malva had shared. In doing so, Con Nombre de Flor transforms into a living, evolving documentary - much like Malva’s identity itself, which was an ongoing process of reinvention and self-expression. The film’s exploration of identity as an active construction resonates deeply in today’s world. Sama’s reflective approach, combined with the powerful story of Malva, provides viewers with a broader understanding of the importance of recognizing and embracing diversity in all its forms.
The film invites us to question the societal norms that have long sought to define and restrict identities, while celebrating the strength and beauty that arise from breaking free of those confines. In its poignant portrayal of Malva’s life, Con Nombre de Flor is a significant contribution to the discourse around trans rights, gender identity, and the history of resistance. It calls for a more inclusive, loving, and accepting world, one where the diversity of human experience is celebrated rather than condemned. By sharing Malva’s story, Sama ensures that the voices of trans individuals - and the struggles they face - are not forgotten, but instead serve as a foundation for building a more inclusive future.
Image credits: YouTube
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