The Unscripted Truth of ‘Tijuana, Todavía’

The Venice Film Festival’s Queer Lion contender has made headlines for its low-budget production, but the film’s themes and real-life connections warrant attention. Gabriel Gutiérrez Morales’ ‘Tijuana, Todavía’, a poignant tale of a young queer refugee navigating Mexico’s northern border, is more than just a cinematic exercise in constraint.

With a shoestring budget of €200,000 ($234,000) and a tight three-week production schedule, the film has made an impressive debut at the Venice Film Festival while shedding light on pressing issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community worldwide. The restrictions imposed by the Biennale College – Cinema’s training program actually contributed to the team’s creative freedom.

The Politics of Representation

Producer-lead Humberto Busto notes that his own life experience as a gay man growing up in Tijuana and struggling to find community is deeply intertwined with the film’s narrative. By setting the story at the border, Morales and his team aimed to challenge the dominant portrayal of immigration as a one-way street. As Busto pointed out, “The border has been part of conversations around immigration for years. But especially since Trump’s presidency, it’s often portrayed almost like a war zone.”

This critique is not new; many have argued that the media’s focus on the US-Mexico border neglects the complex experiences of those living in Mexico. ‘Tijuana, Todavía’ offers a refreshing perspective by centering the story around a Russian refugee, Maksim, and his interactions with Chava, a middle-aged gay man grappling with machismo.

The Power of Serendipity

The film’s casting process is an example of serendipity at its finest. Petr Filimonov, who plays Maksim, is not only a Russian refugee but also an actor with real-life experience closely mirroring his character’s story. His emotional response to the script – “I’m Maksim. I’ve traveled all this way because this is a story you wrote, without even knowing me” – speaks volumes about the film’s impact.

This intersection of reality and fiction raises questions about the responsibility that comes with telling these stories. As Busto said, “As queer filmmakers, we are particularly concerned by the constant threats to our community and that is why we want to counter with this film and establish a dialogue.” The film serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation in media.

A Reflection of Reality

The Casa de Luz refugee shelter featured in the film has its own remarkable story. The founder’s personal experience mirrors the narrative, highlighting the complex emotions involved in migration and displacement. This real-life parallel underscores the film’s themes of reinvention and community building.

As the world grapples with increasing nationalism and xenophobia, ‘Tijuana, Todavía’ offers a poignant reminder that these stories are not just fictional narratives but reflections of reality. By shedding light on the experiences of LGBTQ+ refugees, the film serves as a call to action for greater understanding and compassion.

The Venice Film Festival’s spotlight on this poignant tale is a testament to the power of storytelling in challenging societal norms and promoting empathy. As ‘Tijuana, Todavía’ vies for the Queer Lion, it’s clear that even with limited resources, stories can make a significant impact when fueled by conviction and creative vision.