"Apenas Garota" (translated as "Just a Girl") is a deeply poignant and thought-provoking documentary released in 2019, directed by Danilo Facioli. This Brazilian film delves into the lived experiences of three transgender women - Denise Oliveira, Hannah Ribeiro, and Letícia Corrêa - who bravely share their personal stories of struggle, resilience, and the pursuit of identity in a society that is often intolerant and prejudiced against gender diversity. The documentary opens with a striking image: a phrase written on the wall of a feminine bedroom, decorated with typical items such as a teddy bear, bags, and a doll. The words, “Não pareço, eu sou mulher,” ("I don't look like it, but I am a woman"), were penned in red lipstick by a transgender woman. This initial scene sets the tone for a documentary that blends personal narratives with visual metaphors, illustrating the complex and often painful realities of being a transgender woman in Brazil.
"Apenas Garota" chronicles the challenges transgender women face in their daily lives, particularly their interactions with family, friends, and society at large. It touches upon the difficulties they endure in gaining respect and recognition as women, as well as the intense social and familial pressure they face. These stories are not just a recounting of personal histories; they are also a testament to the broader struggle for acceptance, equality, and rights for transgender individuals. The filmmaker, Danilo Facioli, created the documentary as a tribute to his late aunt, who was tragically murdered in the 1980s due to transfobia - the widespread discrimination and violence directed at transgender people. Facioli’s decision to make this film was rooted in his desire to shed light on the struggles of transgender women in Brazil, where they continue to face significant challenges, both legally and socially. As he explained, "Trans women have very few rights and continue to suffer in the streets. The purpose of this documentary is to give them a voice and to honor my aunt." The independent film was produced in June 2019 at the Cav (Centro de Audiovisual), a public center offering free technical courses in cinema, television, and animation, located in São Bernardo do Campo, a municipality in Greater São Paulo.
Despite the limited resources available, the film was crafted with care and creativity. Facioli himself financed the production, going so far as to sell his cellphone to fund the purchase of props, food, and transportation for the participants. His total budget for the project was a modest R$ 300 (roughly $60 USD), a fact that still surprises many considering the high quality and emotional depth of the film. The film is divided into intimate interviews with Denise, Hannah, and Letícia, each of whom reflects on the challenges they faced throughout their lives.
These challenges include discrimination in employment interviews, difficulties in forming relationships, and the trauma of being denied access to public restrooms as they try to navigate their identities in public spaces. Each of these women reflects on their childhoods and adolescence, remembering the early sense of disconnect from the masculine world they were expected to inhabit, while also recalling the pressures placed on them by their families, who struggled to understand their identities. For many transgender women, adolescence is a time fraught with confusion and rejection, not only from peers but often from their own families, who may not know how to support them or may impose rigid gender expectations. The documentary explores how these women navigated these turbulent years and, later, the challenges they faced in adulthood, including abusive relationships and discrimination in the workplace.
Facioli’s team of six people spent three days filming the documentary, with the director improvising a set in a room at Cav, transforming it with dolls, documents, bathroom signs, and red paint - symbolizing the blood of murdered transgender women in Brazil. This stark visual representation serves as a powerful reminder of the violence that transgender women face, particularly in a country with one of the highest rates of transgender murders in the world. The film also highlights the emotional journeys of its participants, such as Hannah Ribeiro, a 25-year-old micro-entrepreneur who is a longtime friend of Facioli.
Ribeiro shared how it felt to portray a deeply symbolic scene in which she cleans dolls with blood dripping from them, reflecting the violence faced by transgender women. On the same day, she received a corrected birth certificate from the registry office, a moment that marked a significant milestone in her life. "I did the scene with so much emotion, and I felt such a sense of relief when I received my new documents. Before that, I was ashamed to go to places and show my old ID,” she says. For Ribeiro, her story is one of relative success in a country where many transgender people struggle to find financial independence and professional opportunities. Despite her achievements, she recognizes that many of her peers are still marginalized and face systemic barriers to employment and social visibility. However, Ribeiro also notes some progress, pointing to the election of LGBTQ+ individuals in local politics in São Paulo as a hopeful sign of change.
Danilo Facioli’s journey to creating "Apenas Garota" was not just about producing a film but also about pursuing a dream. Facioli, originally from Cerquilho in São Paulo, moved to São Bernardo do Campo in 2017 after learning about the free audiovisual courses at Cav. He passed the entrance exam, and with his boyfriend, rented a house in the municipality to be closer to the institution. Facioli shared, "I came to pursue a dream: to study at a free school and to make films in audiovisual. I aim to specialize in costume design and other related fields. I want to be a reference for young people, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community, through my work." Through the lens of Facioli's camera, "Apenas Garota" offers not just a powerful visual and narrative exploration of transgender lives in Brazil, but it also provides a voice to a marginalized community, amplifying their struggles and victories. The documentary was screened at 11 film festivals across Brazil, including the 19th Maual (Mostra de Audiovisual Universitário e Independente da América Latina), where it won several accolades. Among these were awards for Best Art at the Tropiqueers showcase and an honorable mention for Best Script at the 14th Comunicurtas in Campina Grande, Paraíba.
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"Apenas Garota" is not only a documentary but a call to action, urging society to reflect on the prejudice and violence faced by transgender women, especially in a country like Brazil, where the LGBTQ+ community is often subjected to extreme levels of discrimination. Through the powerful stories of Denise, Hannah, and Letícia, the film highlights the ongoing struggles and resilience of transgender individuals as they fight for their right to live authentically. This deeply personal yet universally resonant film has the potential to spark greater awareness and empathy, not just in Brazil but worldwide, for the challenges that transgender individuals face every day. As Facioli hopes, "Apenas Garota" will continue to be a platform for giving voice to those who are too often silenced by society’s narrow views of gender and identity. In doing so, it honors not only the experiences of transgender women but also the memory of Facioli’s aunt, whose life was cut short by transfobia. Ultimately, the documentary underscores an essential message: that every person has the right to define their own identity and live it authentically, without fear of discrimination or violence. It is a powerful reminder that the fight for equality is ongoing and that visibility, representation, and support are vital in creating a more inclusive world for all.
Image credits: Vimeo
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