The Right Girls

Director: Timothy Wolfer
Release Year: 2020

The 2018 migrant caravan marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing global migration crisis, with approximately 7,200 people walking thousands of miles to seek refuge in the United States. Amid the sea of migrants, a small but determined group of transgender women embarked on the arduous journey, hoping to escape discrimination, abuse, and violence.

 

Directed by Timothy Wolfer, The Right Girls is a documentary that chronicles the incredible journey of three such women - Valentyna, Joanne, and Chantal - who meet in southern Mexico and decide to travel together through Mexico to the US border. Their story, told with an unwavering sense of determination and hope, is one of survival, friendship, and the pursuit of acceptance. These three transgender women, each from different parts of Central America, carry with them deep personal traumas. Valentyna, from El Salvador, fled her home after gangs extorted her small business. Chantal, also from El Salvador, is escaping an abusive relationship with a controlling partner. Joanne, a Black trans woman from Honduras, faces systemic discrimination both because of her gender identity and her race, including violence from her own family. Together, they form a bond as they journey through the dangerous and unforgiving terrain of Southern Mexico. As they march 2,400 miles toward the US border, the women face not only the physical hardships of the journey - heat, hunger, exhaustion, and the constant threat of violence - but also the emotional toll of being marginalized by both their fellow migrants and the larger society. 

 

Transgender individuals are often viewed as lesser members of society, and for these women, this marginalization follows them even on the road. On multiple occasions, truck drivers refuse to offer them rides, despite offering assistance to “women and children.” Their identities as trans women render them invisible to those they encounter, even as they continue on a journey that could ultimately determine their future. The film offers an intimate look at the relationships between the three women, focusing on the camaraderie that grows between them despite the challenges. In the most trying moments of their journey, when they struggle to hitch rides or find food, the women support one another. Chantal comforts Valentyna when she becomes emotional, and the group shares a moment of joy when they reunite after being temporarily separated. The film captures the strength and resilience of these women as they move forward with their dreams of a better life in the United States, hoping for acceptance and safety. While the documentary is driven by the personal stories of the women, it also highlights the broader social and political context of the migrant crisis. In 2018, as the caravan made its way northward, President Donald Trump described the group as an “invasion” and dehumanized them by calling undocumented immigrants “animals.” 

 

The Right Girls pushes back against these harmful narratives, offering a nuanced portrayal of the migrant experience and underscoring the humanity of the people fleeing violence and hardship. Through the struggles of these women, the film reveals the lengths people will go to in their pursuit of freedom and self-determination. Director Timothy Wolfer's decision to travel alongside the women from southern Mexico to Tijuana provides a raw and unfiltered perspective on the migrant journey. Throughout the film, the camera captures the women’s daily life - walking long stretches of highway, searching for food and shelter, and dealing with harassment. In one poignant scene, the group finds themselves stranded as truck drivers turn them away, reinforcing the harsh reality of their marginalized existence. Yet, the film does not solely focus on their suffering; it also highlights moments of humor, solidarity, and resilience, allowing the audience to connect deeply with these women. A significant part of The Right Girls’s narrative centers around the vulnerability of transgender migrants. The caravan, made up of thousands of people, includes only 1.5% LGBTQ+ individuals, which underscores the precarious position of transgender refugees within the larger migrant crisis. These women are particularly vulnerable to violence, not only from criminals and gangs but also from the social prejudice they face as trans women. 

 

The documentary makes clear that the struggle for survival is even more intense for them, and yet, they press on with unwavering hope for a life free from fear and discrimination. At times, The Right Girls veers into narrative complexity, particularly in its exploration of the dynamics between the women. There is a point in the journey when a conflict arises among the group, particularly between Valentyna and the others. Chantal and Joanne express feelings of betrayal, but the reasons for the rift are not fully explored. This leaves a gap in the storytelling that feels underdeveloped, leaving viewers craving more context. Additionally, the documentary concludes with a brief mention of the women’s asylum requests, but there is little closure about their individual fates beyond a title card that simply states all were granted asylum - a fact that feels underwhelming after the intense emotional investment the audience has made in their journey. Despite these shortcomings, The Right Girls remains a powerful and important film that sheds light on the experiences of transgender migrants, a marginalized and often invisible group within the larger refugee crisis. The film captures the urgency and peril of the migrant journey while also emphasizing the deep emotional connections that form between individuals who are fighting for survival. It is a celebration of the human spirit and the pursuit of freedom, offering an unvarnished look at the lengths people will go to in order to live authentically and without fear. 

 

The film’s attention to the unique challenges faced by transgender migrants is complemented by its broader examination of the political and social dynamics surrounding the US border. The journey of the three women, full of hardships and obstacles, becomes a powerful symbol of the hope that still exists, even in a world where many migrants are demonized and criminalized. Through their eyes, The Right Girls offers a glimpse of the American Dream, not as an idealized concept but as a real, hard-fought goal that drives people to take incredible risks in pursuit of a better life. Wolfer’s film also introduces viewers to the work of activist groups that support LGBTQ+ migrants, such as RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) and the Santa Fe Dreamers Project. These organizations provide critical assistance to transgender migrants, helping them navigate the asylum process and fight for their rights in a system that often works against them. Though the film only touches on their work briefly, it highlights the importance of solidarity and advocacy in ensuring that marginalized migrants can access the protection they need. 

 

In the end, The Right Girls is not just a film about migration; it is a film about the courage to live authentically, the power of friendship, and the unyielding desire to be seen and accepted for who you truly are. It is a documentary that captures the complexity of the human experience and serves as a reminder that, despite the adversity they face, these women are just as deserving of love, safety, and the chance to live their lives free from fear as anyone else. It is a film that deserves to be seen, discussed, and remembered as a powerful testament to the strength of transgender migrants and their quest for a better life.

 

via: youtube

 therightgirlsfilm.com and behindtherabbitproductions

Image credits: YouTube