The Garden Left Behind

The film draws us in right away with a character who faces a number of obstacles. She faces a world most of us aren't familiar with, and audiences learn a lot as the story unfolds.

"The Garden Left Behind" is a timely, topical masterpiece that brings attention to the many issues our society chooses to ignore. Wonderfully and emotionally made: it is a picture that everyone must see at least once.

This film is nothing shy of incredible, from start to finish. Every single character, scene, action, etc., has been carefully chosen for the film, and you can tell. Having a strong cast and crew made up trans actors/actresses fulfilling roles *of* trans people, alongside the director and screenwriter(s) speaking with trans people before even starting to create the film, truly makes this special. Everything is so genuinely done with great care and authenticity, and is fully executed immensely well. I'm looking forward to see where else this film goes - I know for certain that it'll be receiving even more awards than it already has in the weeks and months to come.

We need more films that are made by trans producers and feature trans actresses. This film for example makes a strong point about the need to make our communities safer for trans women of color that is made stronger because of the trans lead and her performance.

Anyone who consumes film to be informed, educated, inspired, as well as to be entertained; who has an empathetic heart, a love of people (however they identify), a faith in fairness, of justice and of equality can't fail to be affected by the story and performances presented here. It has its faults and shortcomings, its not the best film you'll see this year, occasionally the grass ceases to grow - but none of that is due to the orientation of any of the characters, who bravely bring to your attention the challenges they face, just for being themselves, just for living their lives and for just wanting to be accepted for who they truly are and want to be.

What is salient about The Garden Left Behind is its authenticity. Produced and directed by a team of transgender actors and filmmakers, the film's is a brutally honest love letter not only to the trans community but also to the myriad members of American society who are disenfranchised and marginalized. A very young, undocumented Mexican trans woman faces the challenges of transitioning at the same time she struggles to build a new life in New York City. Never sappy but always cautiously optimistic, the film affirms the dignity of difference, the ineffable quality of genuine commonality..