Such an amazing and emotional night.
Went to a screening of Mosquita y Mari at school, where the director showed up and answered questions and talked afterwards (I think she was in town for the Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival, which is also screening it). The movie was so fucking amazing and I think fills so many important voids. It complicates so many hegemonic representations, brings so much into discourse and really transcends genres. And it does it all so well.
And the director, Aurora Guerrero, spoke so passionately about being conscious as a queer person of color and really gave credit to her community that made it happen, through fundraising, spreading the word, working with her on the film, etc. She intentionally called the film a collaboration between her and the community and particularly gave credit to the youth who worked with her in their own communities for set locations, etc. She was just so fucking humble and really embodied amazing politics, it was such an incredibly moving experience to hear her talk. Afterwards I asked her a little bit about the relationship between the women and thanked her for making such an amazing and important movie and gave her a big hug.
My professor was also there and introduced me to a performer she was with from another event tonight, a hip hop artist, and told her I was amazing, she enjoys reading my responses to the readings and she thought I was a senior majoring in the studies, so when I told her it was my first semester there she was blown away. It was just really sweet and encouraging of her.
So, a really moving night all around, and everyone really, really needs to go see this movie if they can.
