The Garden Left Behind

The Garden Left Behind
Directed by Flavio Alves
Produced by Roy Gokay Wol
Written by John Rotondo
Flavio Alves
Starring
Cinematography Koshi Kiyokawa
Edited by Alex Lora Cercos
Country United States

The Garden Left Behind is a drama film directed by Flavio Alves and starring Michael Madsen, Ed Asner, and Carlie Guevara. The story centers around the character and life of Tina Carrera (Carlie Guevara), a Mexican trans woman, struggling to make a life for herself as an undocumented immigrant in New York City.[1][2] The Garden Left Behind became the first independent film to be funded substantially through donations and sales via eBay. The film is in post-production.[3][4]

Plot

Tina (Carlie Guevara), a 30 year-old transgender woman and her grandmother, Eliana (Miriam Cruz), have been struggling to make a life for themselves in New York since emigrating from Mexico when Tina was only six years old. Tina’s father abandoned them before she was born and her mother died in prison shortly after they arrived in America. Eliana was left alone to raise her grandchild, both as undocumented immigrants, whose dreams of home are markedly different – Eliana longs to return to Mexico, while Tina desires acceptance in America. The ineffable bond formed between the two formidable women has made them not only each other’s stalwart support in a hostile world but a potential millstone as well.

Working as a gypsy cab driver, Tina battles her desire to make money for her transition with the constant anxiety of being undocumented. Despite her trepidation, she meets with Dr. Cleary (Ed Asner), a psychologist, whose attempts to guide her though the process dredge up Tina’s resistance and fear. As he wears her down, Dr. Cleary becomes Tina’s confidant and cheerleader.

Following the shocking and brutal beating of their friend, Rosie, Carol (Tamara Williams), Amanda (Ivana Black) and Brianna (Lea Nayeli) friends of Tina and members of the Trans community, encourage Tina to join The Royal Washers, an advocacy group whose goal is to bring their community out of its shadowy place in society.

Tina’s concerns with her boyfriend’s commitment are somewhat relieved when Jason (Alex Kruz) finally feels comfortable enough to be seen in a restaurant with her after a year of dating. She is unaware of her secret admirer, Chris (Anthony Abdo), a reserved young man who works in the neighborhood bodega. Chris, who longs for a different life as much as Tina does, finds his options almost as limited and influenced by the rough-edged street boys with whom he plays baseball. The convergence of his secret love for Tina and the expectations of the street create a conflux of difficult emotions.

Pushed to the fore of The Royal Washers, Tina begins to blossom as she learns to advocate for Trans issues. The confirmation of Tina’s transition becomes a double-edged sword as her goal nears: Jason begins to fade away and Eliana, trapped between what was and what may be, struggles to find a way to reconnect and locate her place in her granddaughter’s new lifestyle. Tina’s euphoria at fulfilling her dream is stopped short by the realities of the cost of surgery. She redoubles her effort, selling her car, bartending and buying a counterfeit green card on the black market.

On the night of The Royal Washer’s candlelight vigil for Rosie, Tina crosses paths with Chris, unknowingly sealing their fates. Meanwhile, Eliana finally comes to terms with Tina’s identify and realizes that her love for her is all that Tina needs.

Cast

  • Michael Madsen – as Kevin
  • Ed Asner – as Dr. Cleary
  • Carlie Guevara – as Tina
  • Daniel Flaherty – as Oscar
  • Alex Kruz – as Jason
  • Anthony Abdo – as Chris
  • Miriam Cruz – as Eliana
  • Tamara M. Williams – as Carol
  • Dawn Young – as Miriam
  • Bernadette Quigley – as Dr. Brown
  • Frances Lozada – as Officer Gottilla
  • Brock Yurich – as Chester
  • Ivana Black – as Amanda
  • Sidiki Fofana – as Adrien
  • Lea Nayeli – as Brianna
  • Tym Moss – as Demos
  • Kristen Parker Lovell – as Regina
  • Christine Nyland – as Mary
  • Will Krisanda – as Leo
  • Sarah Skeist – as Tricia
  • Devin Michael Lowe – as Shannon
  • Paul Castro – as Manny
  • Pablo Gonzalez – as Magic Brandon
  • Sarah Skeist – as Tricia

References

  1. ↑ Official site, The Garden Left Behind
  2. ↑ "Crafting Stories with Filmmaker Flavio Alves - interview by Madeleine Cutrona — NYFA Current". Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  3. ↑ "Brief: Independent Feature Film "The Garden Left Behind" Uses ebay to Crowdfund Production by Samantha Hurst — Crowdfund Insider". Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  4. ↑ "Brief: One Man's Junk is Another's Movie crowdfunding Campaign — Right This Minute - The Viral Videos Show=03 August 2016".
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