Jesus is a discrete young man who dreams of the spotlight while working as a hairdresser for a troupe of drag performers at a ramshackle Havana club. Under the tutelage of Mama, he becomes a performer himself and is empowered on stage by his drag persona, Viva. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when his estranged father and former boxer Angel comes back into his life after a long jail sentence and formally forbids him to perform. Jesus finds himself torn between the joy of being on stage and the respect for his father’s will. Paddy Breathnach plunges us into the world of “transformistas” where, emotions and social struggle are beautifully intertwined through an original illustration of the Cuban atmosphere and romance. It does not come as a surprise that this inspiring feature film was selected to represent Ireland at the 88th Academy Awards.

Flagey, Brussels Film Festival