“Todos somos iguales” the crowd chants, as the LGBT community and its allies march in front of the Puerto Rico Legislature for their right to be treated equally.
Most films about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender world only depict the struggle of its members. However Mala Mala, a documentary style film directed by Dan Sickles and Antonio Santini, portrays not solely the adversity and hardships of the community but also the joy and happiness before and after some of those battles have been won.
Fierce, fun, and flamboyant are words that come to mind when I think about the drag queen culture. However as April Carrión (a former contestant on season six of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”- featured in the above photo) says in the film, “This is not Party City . . . this is Haute Couture,” referring to the drag queen profession. Even though the drag queen life looks like very fun and carefree, drag queens such as April take it very seriously since it is their job.
Though some may choose the drag queen life, it is not for everyone. Sickles and Santini remind us that because of their self proclaimed identity, so many participants in the LGBT family in Puerto Rico, are subject to work in the sex industry and because of the lack of income are forced to live in not the greatest areas. Some people may believe that prostitution is a demeaning job but the reality is that for others it is the only job they can find. The only job that takes them for who they are.
The film Mala Mala gives off a light hearted energy all while driving its objective. Its objective being we are all humans. Todos somos iguales. We are all equal. And those of the LGBT world want to be treated as such. Contrary to the name of the film which translates to “Bad Bad” in english, Mala Mala is very well done.
You won’t want to miss this hit. Check out the trailer!
Mala Mala opens in select theaters July 1, 2015.
Photo Credit: Adam Uhl and Germaine Tirado
