Transviar (2021), directed by Maíra Tristão, is a powerful and intimate documentary that explores the intersections of tradition, identity, and transformation through the life of Carla da Victoria. The film tells the extraordinary story of Carla, a transgender woman born into the paneleiras de barro (clay potters) tradition in Vitória, a city in the Espírito Santo state of Brazil.
Carla’s journey of self-discovery is deeply intertwined with her family’s legacy, as she is the daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter of women who have long been known for their craftsmanship in creating clay pots. Through this documentary, we are introduced to not only a journey of personal transformation but also to the complexities of cultural inheritance, gender identity, and the power of breaking societal norms. At its core, Transviar is about challenging the expectations placed upon Carla and the forces that shaped her identity. The title of the film itself is a powerful metaphor. The term "Transviar" is a play on words, combining "trans" (referring to her transgender identity) with "via," which means path or road. This clever blend captures the essence of Carla's journey: a path of transformation, divergence, and redefinition. Throughout the documentary, Carla’s process of shaping her pots is mirrored in her own shaping of identity - both acts of creation, both defiant, both revolutionary.
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To fully appreciate the depth of Transviar, it’s essential to understand the significance of the paneleiras de barro tradition. In Vitória, a coastal city with a rich cultural history, the craft of making clay pots is a deep-rooted artisanal practice, one that has been passed down through generations of women. These women, known as paneleiras, craft traditional clay pots, or "panelas," which are used in everyday Brazilian cooking. The making of these pots is not just a skill but a cultural heritage, embodying the women’s connection to the land, the materials, and the community. This legacy is fundamental to the identity of the women who engage in it. It has provided them with a sense of purpose and pride, as their craft sustains families, connects them to their ancestors, and affirms their place in the community. However, this tradition is not without its challenges. It is a profession that has historically been gendered, with women dominating the trade while men have largely been absent from this aspect of the community’s artisanal life. It is within this framework of gendered craftsmanship that Carla da Victoria emerges as a disruptive force - an individual who challenges not only societal norms but also the gendered expectations of the very tradition she is a part of.
Carla da Victoria’s story is one of profound courage, resilience, and self-empowerment. Born into a family of paneleiras, she learned the craft of pottery from a young age, just as her foremothers did. But Carla’s path diverged significantly from that of her ancestors in one crucial way: she was not comfortable with the gender assigned to her at birth. Throughout her childhood and early adulthood, Carla struggled with her identity as a man and the expectations that came with it. As she grew older, she realized that she was a transgender woman, a revelation that would not only change her life but also reshape her relationship with her family, her craft, and her community. Carla's transformation is captured in Transviar with sensitivity and tenderness.
The documentary does not simply focus on her transition from male to female but also delves into the deeper emotional and psychological challenges of living as a transgender person in a traditional, often conservative society. The film explores how Carla navigates her relationship with her family, her heritage, and her craft, seeking acceptance while also asserting her right to define herself on her own terms. One of the most striking aspects of Carla’s story is how she combines the art of pottery with the shaping of her own identity. Just as she molds the clay, she molds herself, defying the expectations of both her family and the community. This process of creation, both personal and artistic, is a key motif in Transviar. It illustrates how tradition and identity are not fixed but are constantly being reshaped through individual agency and the power of self-expression.
The central theme of Transviar is the act of breaking rules - both the rules of tradition and the societal norms surrounding gender. Carla da Victoria is portrayed as a figure who challenges the status quo, refusing to conform to rigid gender roles. As a transgender woman in a traditional, matriarchal family of paneleiras, Carla's very existence disrupts the expectations placed upon her by society and her lineage. Throughout the film, we witness Carla's struggles to find acceptance within her own family. While her craft - pottery - has been passed down from one generation of women to the next, her journey to self-realization complicates this generational inheritance. Her transformation is a direct challenge to the traditional roles that her family members have occupied for generations. And yet, as the documentary unfolds, we see Carla’s family slowly come to understand and accept her identity.
The moments of tenderness, understanding, and growth between Carla and her loved ones are some of the most poignant moments of the film, showing that even the most entrenched traditions can evolve when people open their hearts and minds. But Carla’s journey is not just about breaking the rules of her family or society. It is also about the larger, metaphorical breaking of boundaries. In Vitória, the mangrove swamps - an environment that plays a significant role in the local ecosystem - are where the clay for the pots is harvested. The mangrove swamp, with its intertwining roots, mud, and water, becomes a symbol of both the complexity of life and the potential for renewal. Like the mangroves, Carla’s life is inextricably connected to the land, to tradition, and to the possibility of transformation. Through her journey, the documentary emphasizes that identity, like clay, can be shaped, reshaped, and transformed over time. Just as the mangrove swamp is a place of change and growth, Carla’s story represents the continual process of self-discovery and reinvention.
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Transviar is not just a film about breaking the rules of gender or tradition - it is also about the power of transformation itself. The documentary positions Carla da Victoria as a person who embodies the fluidity of identity and the possibilities that emerge when individuals are free to express themselves authentically. The act of shaping pots, the very art that connects Carla to her roots, becomes a metaphor for the transformative journey of self-expression and self-acceptance. Through her process of transitioning, Carla demonstrates that breaking boundaries is not an act of destruction but of creation. The film powerfully illustrates how individuals can forge their own paths, even within systems that are resistant to change. Transviar highlights the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity and the profound beauty of embracing one's true self, no matter the challenges that lie ahead. The documentary also explores the theme of intergenerational legacy. While Carla’s journey is deeply personal, it is also shaped by the generations of women who came before her. Their legacy - rooted in the craft of pottery - becomes a touchstone for Carla's own evolution. Transviar thus becomes a meditation on how tradition can evolve and how the stories of the past can inform the future. It shows that legacy is not something to be preserved in its original form but something that can be transformed and reinterpreted through the lives of those who inherit it.
Maíra Tristão’s Transviar is a poignant, beautifully crafted documentary that explores the intersection of identity, tradition, and transformation. Through the life of Carla da Victoria, the film tells a story of breaking boundaries, challenging conventions, and finding the courage to live authentically. It is a celebration of resilience, love, and the power of change. By blending the intimate story of Carla's journey with the larger cultural context of the paneleiras de barro tradition and the rich ecosystem of Vitória, Transviar becomes a powerful reflection on the potential for personal and cultural transformation. The film invites viewers to reconsider the rules that govern our lives and reminds us that, like clay, we all have the ability to reshape ourselves and our world.
Image credits: YouTube
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