Diga Meu Nome

Director: Juliana Chagas Gouveia
Release Year: 2020

"Diga Meu Nome" is a 2020 Brazilian documentary directed by Juliana Chagas Gouveia that delves into the struggles of two transgender women as they fight for the right to have their gender identity and chosen names recognized in official documents. The film explores their quest for social recognition and respect, both from their families and society.

 

At the heart of the documentary are two women - Sélem, a 45-year-old travesti (a term used in Brazil to describe transgender women who do not necessarily seek full medical transition), and Diana, a 22-year-old transsexual woman. Despite their generational and regional differences, with Sélem hailing from the northern part of Brazil and Diana from the southeastern region, both women share a common fight for their rights, including the recognition of their social names and the right to use public women’s restrooms. The documentary unfolds in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, where their daily struggles are documented with raw honesty. The documentary opens with a striking scene that immediately establishes an intimate, non-traditional approach. Instead of positioning herself as an outsider observer, director Juliana Chagas Gouveia inserts herself into the narrative. She engages in a conversation with Sélem, yet neither of them directly addresses the camera. The camera is placed in the backseat of a car as the two women talk, with the conversation unfolding naturally between them. The tone is relaxed and friendly, creating a sense of camaraderie. They are on their way to a registry office, where Sélem is about to receive her new identity documents, reflecting her gender identity. 

 

This setup gives the audience the sense of witnessing a process, not just a finished product. Gouveia subtly critiques the bureaucratic hurdles that trans individuals face. When they arrive at the registry office, Sélem is visibly emotional, as she holds her new documents. However, the director uses this moment to ask a pointed question to the clerk: Shouldn’t her sex have been changed to “female” as well? This exchange highlights the ongoing struggles trans people face in the legal system, even when granted the right to update their names. This approach of including the director as a participant in the documentary creates an intriguing effect. It positions the film as more of an investigative piece - one that acknowledges the director’s own learning process, rather than presenting an authoritative lecture on the subject. Throughout the film, Gouveia is present, asking questions, revealing her ignorance, and exploring the issue alongside the audience. For instance, when Gouveia asks Sélem why she didn’t explain the difference between a travesti and a transsexual woman, Sélem’s response is telling: she’s exhausted from justifying herself and doesn’t feel it’s her responsibility to educate cisgender people. Her response, “Just Google it,” captures the frustration and self-determination that many trans individuals feel when faced with constant questioning about their identity. 

 

By making herself a visible presence in the film, Gouveia avoids the traditional power dynamic between filmmaker and subject. She encourages a more equal exchange, where the women are not merely passive subjects, but active participants shaping the direction of the film. This is further emphasized when Gouveia patiently waits for Diana to arrive for an interview, showing her eagerness to learn rather than teach. A moment of questioning Diana about other trans people at the UERJ (a university in Rio de Janeiro) reveals Diana’s limited knowledge of specific data, showcasing the film's honest portrayal of the complexities and nuances of the transgender experience. The documentary focuses on the lives of two trans women from different generations and backgrounds, offering a deep dive into their distinct, yet parallel struggles. Sélem, a woman who had few opportunities for education after being expelled from her home by her evangelical father, contrasts sharply with Diana, who, thanks to her eloquence and active engagement with trans issues, has had access to education and support. While Sélem had to resort to sex work to survive, Diana has managed to avoid this fate. Sélem’s fight for recognition and rights came much later in life, while Diana had the privilege of starting her journey with the support of academia, being able to update her records as soon as she entered the university. 

 

The documentary follows both women's paths, cutting between their stories in a straightforward, parallel structure. Each woman’s journey serves as a counterpoint to the other’s. This approach draws the viewer into understanding the generational differences within the transgender community, with Diana representing a more hopeful future compared to Sélem’s difficult past. The director also intersperses quiet moments between the intense interviews, such as a peaceful walk through an aquarium or casual conversations with friends at a bar. These moments help alleviate the heavy tone and allow the audience to see the women beyond their struggles, showing them in ordinary, everyday moments. Despite its effective exploration of the struggles transgender individuals face in Brazil, the documentary raises some concerns about its camera work. There is an interesting tension between the camera’s proximity to the subjects - especially their faces and documents - and the seeming detachment of the overall perspective. The directors’ presence, while critical to the film’s approach, at times undermines the realism of the moments. For example, when Sélem and Gouveia are received by the registry office staff, the cordiality of the clerks appears influenced by the presence of the camera, which sometimes results in conversations that feel scripted or overly staged. This approach risks taking away from the authenticity that a documentary aims to capture. 

 

Similarly, some of the scenes - such as Sélem asking her niece about her recent achievement - are framed in a way that suggests a level of manipulation or control over the interaction. This moment, though poignant, feels somewhat scripted, as if the director is prompting the conversation to fulfill a particular narrative purpose. While the niece’s answer - that it doesn't matter as long as her aunt is happy - conveys a touching sentiment, the context makes it feel like a somewhat idealized portrayal of familial acceptance. Despite these minor issues, "Diga Meu Nome" features exceptional technical craftsmanship. The lighting during the interviews is warm and inviting, and the framing is consistently strong, emphasizing the subjects' faces and emotions. The sound design also complements the visuals, capturing the intimate nature of the subjects’ testimonies. However, one might wish that the film went further, expanding beyond key moments like the receipt of documents or the university admission to explore the everyday lives and emotional worlds of these women. The film’s overarching message is one of hope and progress: it strives to show that it is possible to overcome prejudice and gain acceptance, especially regarding one’s gender identity. 

 

However, it refrains from turning its protagonists into victims or heroes. Instead, the documentary focuses on the complexities of identity and the ongoing fight for recognition, making it clear that there is no easy resolution or final victory. Sélem and Diana are portrayed not as symbols of victimhood, but as strong, self-determined individuals pushing for their right to be seen as they truly are. The final moments, when Sélem and Diana meet, offer a brief but emotionally powerful conclusion. Their interaction, though short, encapsulates the emotional core of the film - the moment when two women from different walks of life come together in solidarity and mutual understanding. "Diga Meu Nome" is a testament to the resilience of transgender women in Brazil and a profound exploration of the complexities they face in their fight for recognition and equality. Juliana Chagas Gouveia’s documentary goes beyond simply portraying the struggles of its subjects; it invites the viewer into a shared journey of learning, questioning, and understanding. The result is a documentary that neither offers easy answers nor falls into melodrama. Instead, it presents a candid, humanistic portrayal of two women navigating their identities and advocating for a society that recognizes and respects them for who they truly are. Through careful attention to detail and a commitment to authenticity, "Diga Meu Nome" becomes a powerful call for empathy, respect, and inclusion.

 

via: youtube

 papodecinema.com.br and imdb

Image credits: YouTube