Race and Gender Meet on Rashaad Ernesto Green's "Gun Hill Road"
by Kyle Bella
Monday, August 1 2011, 9:30 AM EST
http://colorlines.com/archives/2011/08/gun_hill_road_and_race_gender_sexuality_in_latino_community.htmlRarely do independent films that tackle transgender issues receive mainstream attention. Even more rare are films of any sort that interweave Latino identity in the context of a transgender story. "Gun Hill Road," the debut film by Bronx, N.Y.-native Rashaad Ernesto Green has defied expectations on both counts, becoming not only a run-a-way success on the film festival circuit but also securing a rarity for independent LGBT cinema: a theatrical release.
"Gun Hill Road" is set, as the title suggests, on Gun Hill Road, one of the major thoroughfares that cuts through the Bronx. It tells the story of Vanessa, a young person transitioning from male gender identity, as Michael, to female gender identity. Vanessa is played by transgender actor Harmony Santana. After three years in prison, Vanessa's father Enrique, played by Esai Morales, comes home and is unable to understand how and why his son would want to live as a woman.
also posted at alternet
http://www.alternet.org/culture/151875/race_and_gender_meet_on_rashaad_ernesto_green%26acirc%3B%26euro%3B%26trade%3Bs_latest_film%2C_%26acirc%3B%26euro%3B%26oelig%3Bgun_hill_road%26acirc%3B%26euro%3B
