Release Year: 2014
Synopsis:
In the realm of documentary filmmaking, few have captured the complexities of marginalized lives with such intimacy and care as Gwen Haworth. Her 2014 short documentary A Woman with a Past offers a brief but profound window into the life of Antonette Rea, a transgender, intersex poet and activist who has been navigating the rough terrains of life in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
This 10-minute documentary delves into Antonette’s remarkable journey, capturing not only the challenges she faced but also her resilience, creativity, and self-awareness.
The film’s opening lines, "You can never have too much lube," offer a stark and candid glimpse into Antonette’s unapologetic and humorous personality. This quote, which might sound provocative or cheeky to some, reflects the lived experience of a woman who has not only survived but thrived amid significant struggles with homelessness, addiction, and the sex trade. Antonette’s candidness, as expressed through her poetry and life story, becomes a testament to her ability to transform pain into creative energy.
