In this episode the TFAL crew, with Kat Carrido Bonds filling in as a guest host, have a discussion with Isabel Sandoval, the artist behind the lyrical and delicate drama LINGUA FRANCA. LINGUA FRANCA follows Olivia, played by Isabel Sandoval, an undocumented Filipino trans woman, working as a caregiver to Olga, an elderly Russian woman, in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. When Olivia runs out of options to attain legal status in the US, she becomes romantically involved with Alex, Olga’s adult grandson, in the pursuit of a marriage-based green card.
LINGUA FRANCA made history as the first film directed by and starring a trans woman of color to screen in competition at the 2019 Venice International Film Festival. The film continues to make history by being acquired by ARRAY, Ava DuVernay’s media company, joining DuVernay’s impressive slate of film and docuseries projects by BIPOC creatives.
LINGUA FRANCA is available on Netflix. Watch the film and join the Cinema Sala x Array: #LinguaFrancaWatchParty Weds, August 26th, 5pm Pacific Time and participate in the live discussion with @isabelvsandoval and @ARRAYNow.
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Thank you for having Isabel Sandoval. Her story is inspiring for a Filipino immigrant like me. I always thought that immigrants are sacrificial for the next generation. We are not expected to reach the height of success like Isabel’s. We are supposed to work in a job that we did not dreamt of, but would make our children’s life better.