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Projects

Sun in Saturn

A journey of holding space for pain, being the best mum, the bravest son, and the fiercest grandpa.

synopsis

Sol, a trans man, returns to his hometown in the North of Portugal with his fiancée, Sara, to visit his mother Helena and join the village’s annual festival. Helena, fresh from a meeting for parents with trans children, exudes confidence, assured that she’s got everything in hand. She will relish time with Sol and ask his help for her father. Adriano, a 94-year-old sweetheart, who is not as independent as he was, but far from feeling that he should be trapped at Helena’s house, which stifles his freedom. Despite being aware that Sara no longer desires him, since he started hormone therapy, Sol aims to marry her. He fears confessing an infidelity to her before marriage. Pushed to the edge of not being seen, Sol confesses. Sara flees, keeping her own infidelity a secret. Adriano, leaves the village unannounced and secretly goes to his birthplace to fix the town clock, hoping time won’t halt for him. To find him, Sol and Helena take a short road trip, mother and son driving into their relationship. Helena is still grieving the daughter she once had, and Sol yearns for her to accept him as a man. Set amidst the backdrop of an annual festival where religion and tradition intertwine, Sol and Helena must navigate their identities and embrace change, knowing that something will be left behind.

Director’statement

As a transgender writer and director, I take upon myself the responsibility to create with affection, sharing narratives that offer new possibilities for our existence, not just mere survival. In my art, I strive to portray trans characters authentically as fully fleshed-out human beings, using transness as a layer instead of a core. Sun in Saturn is a character-driven film that delves into the exploration of not only gender identity but also intergenerational concepts of time, tradition, sexuality, love, and the complexities of mourning. Set in a picturesque village in the north of Portugal, surrounded by lush green landscapes and nestled near water, the film captures the essence of a small and cozy place stuck in time. Saturn highlights and pushes what needs to change, while fear compels our characters to remain the same. The body trembles trying to morph into its authentic self, the time for change has arrived. I believe this film can be an important tool to dismantle myths and clichés about gender and transness, but also thinking identity as particles that change for all people.

TFL PROGRAMME:
ScriptLab 2023

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