Lingua Franca

Writer-Director Isabel Sandoval's personal and intimate drama follows the on-the-edge life of a Transgender Filipina caregiver who becomes involved with the ex-con grandson of the elderly lady she works for.

Erotic, provocative and courageous, she gives a superb performance as the protagonist, an undocumented immigrant struggling to get a Green Card through an arranged/paid marriage, after living in the US illegally for several years.

She inclusively and delicately builds up compassion, tension and suspense around her characters, first observing the emotions and obstacles surging for each of them: the fading memory of grandmother, the effects of on-probation anxiety experienced by Alex and his affecting return and attempts to make it right, the accomplishment of her friend's much-awaited wedding. Despite her hopelessness, Olivia plays a major figure of strength and reliability within, inspiring them to reach for their goals and step forward, while she herself is still dreaming of Mr. Right and mostly running against time, civil laws and bureaucracy to gain rights and freedom.

Nominated for the Queer Lion Award at last year's Venice Film Festival, Sandoval scored a relatable, timely and moving drama.

(Array Releasing. 8/26. Select Theaters and On Netflix.)