In the 2019 documentary The Journey of Monalisa, directed by Nicole Costa, viewers are given a raw and poetic insight into the life of Iván Monalisa, a transgender artist and performer. Costa, in her directorial debut, unfolds a gripping narrative about Monalisa’s self-exile in New York City, where she lived as an undocumented immigrant and sex worker for over 17 years. Through a deeply personal lens, The Journey of Monalisa explores not only the external struggles of survival in a harsh, marginalized world but also the complex internal journey of identity, self-expression, and transformation.
The story begins with Iván Ojeda, an aspiring theater director and playwright from Chile, who in 1995 moves to New York to study at the prestigious New Dramatists. After completing her studies, instead of returning to Chile, Iván decides to adopt a new identity as Iván Monalisa, reinventing herself as a transgender woman and sex worker. This pivotal decision marks the beginning of Monalisa’s profound journey of self-exploration. Seventeen years later, Monalisa is reunited with Nicole Costa, a former college classmate, who decides to document her friend's life. Their reunion becomes the foundation of the film, which explores Monalisa's efforts to understand her own life of self-exile and the quest for a sense of belonging, both in terms of nationality and gender.
As the documentary unfolds, we are introduced to the multifaceted nature of Monalisa's existence. At once both scrappy and masculine in her past life as Iván, and simultaneously a charismatic, empowered diva in the present, Monalisa fully embraces the dualities that make her who she is. Working as a transgender prostitute on the streets of New York, Monalisa navigates a gritty world of fleeting sexual encounters, addiction, and survival. Despite the hardships, she continues to create art, writing poetry that is visceral, poignant, and deeply reflective of her life experiences.
Costa’s decision to revisit Monalisa’s life through the lens of their shared past creates a sense of intimacy that permeates the entire documentary. With a blend of candid moments, dark humor, and thought-provoking insights, The Journey of Monalisa invites audiences to witness a person who is not merely surviving but actively engaged in the process of self-definition and artistic expression. Monalisa’s quest for a visa, the legal recognition of her gender, and her first successes as a writer, all interspersed with archival footage and raw moments from her life, highlight the complexity of living as a transgender immigrant in an often hostile world. Throughout the documentary, we see Monalisa’s internal struggles play out against the backdrop of New York’s vibrant yet tough urban landscape. Her attempt to reconcile her masculine and feminine selves, and her preference for the term "Two-Spirit" to express the internal duality she feels, is a central theme of the film. For Monalisa, gender is not a fixed or binary concept but rather something fluid, deeply interconnected with her identity and experiences. This belief is reflected in her rejection of traditional gender labels, opting instead for a more encompassing and flexible understanding of self.
One of the most powerful elements of The Journey of Monalisa is the seamless integration of archival footage shot by Monalisa’s friends in the 1990s. These video clips, alongside snippets of telephone conversations and written works, provide viewers with a historical context for Monalisa’s life. They offer a rare and personal glimpse into New York's underground transgender nightlife scene, documenting Monalisa’s early days in the city and the vibrant queer culture that shaped her. The juxtaposition of these old VHS recordings with more recent footage enriches the narrative, revealing how both Monalisa and the culture around her have evolved over time. As much as The Journey of Monalisa offers a poignant portrayal of life as an undocumented immigrant, sex worker, and transgender person, it also raises important questions about identity, migration, and the intersectionality of gender and nationality.
The documentary delves into the complexity of living across borders - not just geographical ones but also those of gender and identity. Monalisa’s ability to navigate these multiple layers of existence speaks to the broader experiences of many immigrants and queer individuals, for whom identity is not fixed but continually evolving. The film’s narrative is structured around Monalisa’s journey toward self-actualization, her desire for both personal and legal recognition, and her ongoing artistic practice. At times, the documentary explores the tension between Monalisa’s life as a performer and sex worker and her aspirations as a poet and writer. It is clear that Monalisa sees her art as a means of survival, as well as a way to assert her voice and identity in a world that often seeks to silence or marginalize people like her.
Despite its serious themes, The Journey of Monalisa is imbued with humor and levity, thanks to the dynamic relationship between Costa and Monalisa. The two women, with their shared history, bring an authenticity and warmth to the film. Costa’s approach to filmmaking is deeply personal, as she refrains from imposing a formal, detached narrative style. Instead, she allows the subjects of her film to speak for themselves, inviting audiences to witness the intimacy of their conversations and moments of vulnerability. However, it is worth noting that The Journey of Monalisa doesn’t delve as deeply into Monalisa’s artistic practices as some might have hoped. While the film is rich with insights into her personal life, struggles, and survival, there is less exploration of her thoughts on performance and poetry.
The documentary’s focus is more on the survival aspects of Monalisa’s life, leaving her artistic philosophy and practice somewhat underexplored. For many viewers, this may leave a gap in understanding the full scope of Monalisa's creative journey and what she hopes to achieve as an artist. Still, the film’s exploration of the intersection of borders, gender, and identity is a powerful and thought-provoking contribution to the genre of queer documentary filmmaking. Monalisa’s journey - both physical and emotional - is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the ways in which identity is constantly reshaped and redefined in response to external pressures. Her experience as an undocumented immigrant mirrors the larger struggles faced by many trans people, particularly those living in limbo without legal recognition or protection.
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As the documentary nears its conclusion, Monalisa reflects on her journey, both personal and professional. "Physical territory is only a mental state," she says. "My identity is my true territory, and it doesn’t belong to any one place… I’m my discovery." This statement encapsulates the essence of Monalisa’s journey - one of continual self-discovery, unbound by national borders or societal expectations. For Monalisa, identity is not something to be fixed or defined by external forces but is instead a dynamic, evolving process rooted in self-awareness and self-expression. In the end, The Journey of Monalisa is a poignant exploration of identity, art, and survival in a world that too often seeks to erase or marginalize those who live outside its accepted norms. It is a film about the resilience of the human spirit and the power of art to transcend the limitations imposed by society. Through Monalisa’s story, Costa invites us into a world where identity is constantly in flux, where borders - both physical and cultural - are not barriers but points of transformation. As Monalisa continues her journey, she embodies the hope that we can all create our own path, one that allows us to embrace the fullness of who we are, no matter the challenges we face along the way.
Image credits: YouTube
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