Transfariana

Panorama Dokumente 2023

In a Colombian prison in 2012, the left-wing intellectual FARC rebel Jaison and the hitherto apolitical trans former sex worker Laura fall in love. Their bond initially causes distrust within the FARC, but the charismatic Jaison is able to dispel such misgivings by calling for a common class struggle, and evoking a sense of solidarity that draws on the shared experience of discrimination. This utopia of a just world sees trans activists stand together with disarmed FARC fighters at demos in Bogotá’s red-light district and in FARC camps in the mountains. Thus, the TransFARC begins to fight together for a society where trans rights are part of the peace treaty and where shared parenthood is possible for trans sex workers such as Daniela and Max.
The FARC has been portrayed many times in documentaries in recent years, but director Joris Lachaise comprehensively depicts an entirely new aspect. His film organically interweaves different periods and footage shot by the protagonists themselves in various prisons. The title of the film, Transfariana, refers to the female FARC members, the “Farianas”.

by Joris Lachaise (Director, Screenplay) France / Colombia 2023 Spanish 153' Colour World premiere | Documentary Form

Crew

Director	Joris Lachaise
Screenplay	Joris Lachaise
Cinematography	Joris Lachaise
Editing	Jérémy Gravayat, Joris Lachaise
Music	Bertrand Wolff
Sound Design	Gil Savoy
Sound	Julia Rostagni
Assistant Director	Julia Rostagni
Producers	Raphaèle Dumas, Line Peyron, Guillermo Quintero
Co-Producer	Anahí Farfán
Co-Production	Fuega Bogotá

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Romeo

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Joris Lachaise

The filmmaker first studied philosophy before turning to film. In 2009, he co-directed Comme un oiseau dans un aquarium together with Thomas Rousillon. In 2011, he directed the multi-award-winning Convention: Mur noir / Trous blancs to mark the 50th anniversary of Mali’s independence. Ce qu’il reste de la folie, his 2014 film about a psychiatric hospital in Senegal, won the Grand Prix of the French Competition at the International Film Festival Marseille and went on to screen at numerous international festivals.

Filmography (documentaries)

2009 Comme un oiseau dans un aquarium (Like a Bird in a Fishbowl); co-director: Thomas Roussillon 2011 Convention: Mur noir / Trous blancs (Convention: Black Wall / White Holes) 2014 Ce qu’il reste de la folie (What Remains of Madness) 2023 Transfariana

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2023