Lingua Franca 

Introduced by writer-director-star Isabel Sandoval; followed by a Q&A with Sandoval and critic/author Caden Mark Gardner

Dir. Isabel Sandoval. U.S./Philippines. 2019, 89 mins. DCP. Lingua Franca contains the rarest of onscreen trans depictions: a genuine romantic melodrama in the vein of Fassbinder and Wong Kar-wai. Writer-director Isabel Sandoval stars as Olivia, a trans woman and undocumented immigrant in need of a green card and caught in the red-tape of outmoded trans documentation. A home-care worker for Olga (Lynn Cohen), an elderly woman suffering from dementia, Olivia becomes romantically involved with Olga’s grandson Alex (Eamon Farren), a recovering alcoholic trying to get his life back together. They may seem doomed for disappointment—due both to historical struggles and former on-screen representations of cis/trans romantic relationships—but Sandoval’s film presents their courtship in a gently expressive and sensual manner that makes it one of the strongest trans narratives of recent years.  

Tickets: $15 / $11 senior and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / discounted for MoMI members ($7–$11). There is a $1.50 transaction fee per ticket for all online purchases. The cost of admission may be applied toward a same-day purchase of a membership. 

Order tickets. Please pick up tickets at the Museum’s admissions desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission.