Vida (2019) is a powerful documentary directed by María Eugenia Lombardi and Carolina Reynoso. The film intimately explores the life of Vida Morant, a multifaceted transgender woman whose life is a testament to resilience, activism, and the constant battle for acceptance in a society that often pushes her to the margins. This documentary sheds light on the quiet, yet profoundly moving, aspects of Vida's journey, from her home and work life to her activism in the legislative and cultural spheres.
The filmmakers provide a raw and poignant portrait of Vida’s reality, which includes navigating daily obstacles, fighting for her rights, and confronting a world that often defines her existence by norms that don't reflect her identity. Vida moves through the city, where the massive concrete structures offer her both anonymity and vulnerability. The city's towering billboards depict an idealized version of womanhood - delicate, industrious, slender, beautiful, and a "biowoman," as the filmmakers describe. Vida, a trans woman, grapples with these social expectations in different ways. While she conforms to some, she challenges others, especially the stereotypes and gender norms that do not reflect her lived experience. The documentary follows Vida’s life in various settings - her home, the theater, her work at the radio station, and even her legislative activism. It captures both her struggles and her strategies for coping with the violence and prejudice she faces as a trans woman in a society that often makes life unbearable for individuals like her. Through simple, yet compelling imagery, the documentary takes us into the heart of Vida's world, revealing a life shaped by both personal triumphs and systemic challenges.
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At the center of Vida is Vida Morant herself, an extraordinary trans woman who is not only an activist but also an actress, playwright, theater director, psychodramatist, and educator. Her activism, particularly in the fight for transgender rights, is a driving force in her life. Morant is beloved within the LGBTQ+ community for her tireless advocacy, and the documentary does justice to her incredible journey. The filmmakers, Lombardi and Reynoso, began working on the project after Morant won a historic ruling from Judge Elena Liberatori, who, before the gender identity law was enacted, officially recognized Vida's gender identity. This milestone in Vida's life became a key turning point in the documentary, marking the beginning of her transformation from a woman fighting for recognition to one who, over time, became a leader within her community. In her work, Vida not only advocates for the rights of transgender individuals but also holds various positions, including being an academic secretary at the pioneering Mocha Celis Trans High School, a recognized figure in human rights advocacy, and a lecturer at the Ombudsman’s office in Buenos Aires. These roles are just a glimpse of the many commitments that fill Vida’s days.
The documentary portrays the frenetic pace of her life, which often seems to exceed the time allotted to most people. It also reveals the constant self-construction that has characterized Vida’s evolution over the years. Through various shifts in direction, the documentary culminated in its final form in 2017, transitioning into post-production after years of exploration. The process of filming Vida was not easy. The directors spent countless hours interviewing Vida and learning about her experiences - from her childhood and family to the struggles of growing up as a trans individual in a society that marginalizes people like her. They delved into topics such as migration, shame, the pursuit of freedom, love, and the struggle for survival. Vida’s willingness to share her personal history and reflect on her journey was pivotal in shaping the film. María Eugenia Lombardi explains that the decision to tell Vida’s story was also an opportunity to speak about the daily lives of other transgender individuals. The filmmakers consciously avoided focusing on the negative, stereotypical aspects of transgender lives that are often represented in the media - namely violence, oppression, and stigmatization. Instead, Vida highlights the successes, joys, and accomplishments that Vida has experienced. It is a story of triumph, not just a chronicle of suffering.
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Lombardi and Reynoso aimed to create a documentary that would present Vida as a positive and dynamic individual, someone who defied the expectations often associated with transgender lives. They wanted to move beyond the typical narratives and highlight her resilience and agency. As Lombardi recalls, "Vida's life is not necessarily a collection of oppressions but rather a series of things she has managed to achieve." One of the most powerful scenes in the film revolves around a seemingly mundane yet deeply symbolic moment - Vida, accompanied by her friend Karen Bennett, searches for high-heeled shoes in Palermo. The challenge of finding a pair in size 43, a size that most shoe manufacturers ignore, serves as a metaphor for the everyday struggles of trans individuals who are often overlooked or excluded by societal standards. Vida reflects on this moment, explaining how it represents a larger truth about being a trans woman. "Trans people develop a unique sense of humor and creativity," she explains. "It’s a defense mechanism, a way to survive and bring light into a reality that often seeks to darken us." This scene encapsulates the difficulties that Vida faces, both personally and socially, as she navigates a world that is frequently unwelcoming to those who do not conform to traditional gender norms.
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In most media portrayals of transgender lives, the narrative is often limited to either prostitution or the entertainment industry. Even within activist discourses, issues like love, relationships, and sexuality are sometimes overshadowed by more urgent concerns like access to healthcare, employment, and education. Vida breaks this pattern by focusing on Vida’s search for love and intimacy, exploring the complexities of dating as a trans woman. The film introduces a fictionalized “casting for a boyfriend” segment, where Vida humorously interviews potential suitors, making it clear that while she is desired sexually, the difficulty of forming a meaningful relationship remains a challenge. Lombardi explains, "We wanted to address the complexity of intimacy and the barriers that trans people face when it comes to relationships. Vida often told us that she had no trouble finding sexual partners, but that the deeper, emotional connections were far more elusive." The casting scene becomes an insightful commentary on the contradictions and hypocrisies of the society Vida must navigate. It is a reflection of the broader issue of how trans people are treated in relationships - as objects of desire, but rarely as equals in the eyes of society.
Ultimately, Vida is not just the story of a single individual; it is a broader exploration of the trans experience, told with compassion, humor, and defiance. It offers a refreshing perspective on the life of a trans woman, capturing both the mundane and the extraordinary aspects of her existence. By focusing on Vida's achievements, her relationships, and her activism, the documentary refuses to define her by victimhood alone. Through Vida, Lombardi and Reynoso have created a narrative that challenges stereotypes, provokes reflection, and most importantly, celebrates the strength, dignity, and resilience of transgender individuals. Vida Morant's life is not just a struggle; it is a testament to the power of self-determination and the ongoing fight for justice and equality.
Image credits: YouTube
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