Bixa Travesty

2018, Brazil, Linn da Quebrada, Portuguese,

Director: Kiko Goifman and Claudia Priscilla
Release Year: 2018

Synopsis:

"Bixa Travesty" (2018), a documentary directed by Claudia Priscilla and Kiko Goifman, presents an electrifying and intimate portrait of Linn da Quebrada, a black trans performer and activist from São Paulo. Known for her unapologetic activism and provocative performances, Linn da Quebrada challenges Brazil's deeply entrenched heteronormative and machista culture.

 

The film, which gained international recognition, particularly at the Berlin International Film Festival where it won the prestigious Teddy Award for Best LGBTQ-themed Documentary, captures the essence of Linn's radical art and activism, blending performance with a deep socio-political message. The film takes its title from one of Linn’s tracks and gives a unique lens into the life of this extraordinary artist. "Bixa Travesty" (translated as "Tranny Fag") follows Linn’s journey as she navigates life as a trans woman in a country notorious for its violence against LGBTQ individuals. Through her music, performances, and life choices, Linn becomes a fierce voice for resistance, confronting homophobia, transphobia, and the dominant ideologies that marginalize those who do not conform to societal norms. 

 

Linn da Quebrada, born Lina Pereira dos Santos in 1990, grew up in a religious Jehovah's Witness family in São Paulo. Her early life was shaped by socio-economic challenges, with a mother who worked as a domestic servant and a father who abandoned the family when she was just seven years old. From these humble beginnings, Linn would rise to prominence not only as a performer but as a powerful voice for marginalized groups, particularly within Brazil's LGBTQ+ community. Her stage name, Linn da Quebrada, which loosely translates to "Linn from the Hood" or "Broken Beauty," encapsulates her identity as a black trans woman navigating a world that often excludes and oppresses individuals like her. Linn's first significant public success came in 2016 when she released the funk track "Enviadescer", a song that mocks cisgender, heterosexual masculinity and serves as a critique of societal gender norms. The track became a viral hit on YouTube, propelling Linn into the spotlight as a musical force and activist. Beyond music, Linn's activism has taken several forms, including her involvement in founding the Associação de Travestis de Santo André, an organization dedicated to supporting trans individuals in Brazil. Her involvement in political causes extends to her participation in boycotting Israel, a stance that was endorsed by civil rights icon Angela Davis. For Linn, music is not just a form of artistic expression but a political tool used to combat the injustices faced by marginalized communities. 

 

At its core, "Bixa Travesty" is not just a documentary about a trans artist, but a bold statement against societal norms and gender binaries. The film documents Linn’s performances, which are marked by electrifying energy, radical critique, and a deliberate blurring of gender boundaries. Her performances, often filled with nudity and raw expression, serve as acts of defiance against the deeply patriarchal and sexist structures that define Brazilian society. Through her music and performances, Linn confronts traditional ideas of what a female body should look like and challenges audiences to rethink their assumptions about gender, sexuality, and identity. One of the film’s most powerful aspects is its portrayal of Linn’s music as a weapon for social change. Funk, a genre deeply embedded in Brazilian culture, becomes Linn’s medium for challenging the status quo. Her lyrics, which often carry a sharp, satirical edge, take aim at the misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia prevalent in both Brazil and globally. Linn’s music allows her to express the personal and collective struggles of the LGBTQ+ community, while also asserting her own identity with pride and defiance. Linn's refusal to conform to traditional gender roles is a form of political resistance. Her existence itself is a protest, a defiance of the societal norms that demand conformity. In "Bixa Travesty", the idea of transsexualism is presented not as a tragic existence but as a revolutionary act. By deciding to live and express herself as she sees fit, Linn positions trans identity as a direct challenge to the rigid rules of gender that are imposed by society. 

 

The documentary takes a deeply personal approach, offering viewers a window into the life of Linn beyond her public persona. It showcases her interactions with friends, collaborators, and fellow activists, highlighting the importance of community and solidarity in her journey. There are moments of comic relief, where Linn’s sharp wit shines, reminding the audience that resistance is not only about confrontation but also about joy and self-love. However, the film also subtly touches on Linn’s vulnerabilities. A brief but poignant moment in the documentary reveals her struggle with cancer, a diagnosis that forced Linn to reflect on her body and its limitations. This personal battle deepened her understanding of her own physicality, reinforcing the message that body and mind must align in order to express one’s true identity. It is a testament to Linn’s resilience that she uses her experiences with illness not as a source of shame but as a means to further her understanding of herself and her political mission. Priscilla and Goifman’s direction in "Bixa Travesty" creates an energetic and engaging documentary that mirrors Linn’s own dynamism. Through carefully crafted montages, the filmmakers showcase Linn's multifaceted identity—both as an artist and as an activist. The documentary also focuses on the creative process behind her music, offering glimpses of Linn composing lyrics and melodies in spontaneous, intimate moments. These scenes are often interspersed with footage of her performances, where her radical energy and fierce confidence take center stage. The film’s editing style is fluid and vibrant, capturing the raw intensity of Linn’s performances in both large venues and smaller, more personal spaces. The contrast between these settings highlights the versatility of her activism, which exists both in the public eye and within her closest circles. The filmmakers also emphasize the importance of her friendships and collaborations, underscoring the role of collective resistance in the fight against oppression. 

 

Brazil, a country notorious for its deep-rooted sexism, racism, and homophobia, provides the backdrop for "Bixa Travesty". The film arrives at a time when the country is experiencing a political crisis, with conservative ideologies gaining ground and threatening the hard-won rights of marginalized communities. In this context, Linn da Quebrada's radical performance art becomes not only a form of personal expression but also a powerful political act. Her defiance against traditional gender norms and her commitment to LGBTQ+ rights stand in stark opposition to the rise of conservatism and corruption in Brazilian politics. "Bixa Travesty" is a vital cultural artifact, capturing a moment of resistance in a country grappling with its identity and future. Through the lens of Linn da Quebrada’s performances and personal story, the documentary challenges viewers to reconsider the boundaries of gender and sexuality, while also urging them to confront the deep-seated societal structures that perpetuate discrimination and violence. "Bixa Travesty" is more than just a documentary about a trans performer—it is an exploration of identity, resistance, and the transformative power of art. Through Linn da Quebrada’s radical performances, the film shines a light on the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community in Brazil, offering a powerful message of self-love, empowerment, and defiance. As both a political and artistic statement, "Bixa Travesty" is an urgent and necessary work that continues to resonate with audiences around the world, inspiring others to challenge the oppressive systems that seek to define and limit who we are.

 

via: youtube

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Image credits: YouTube