Film

NewFest: Bravo for 'Just As We Are'

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

Sunday, June 15, 2008

‘Just As We Are’ is perhaps one of the best documentary films I have seen in the festival circuit so far. It definitely represents the New Fest, NYC’s LGBT film festival, commitment to feature outstanding filmmakers and stories within the community.
Director Judith McCray presents an upbeat and unapologetic picture of seven men and one transgender Latina talking about their experiences as gay men.

The great thing about ‘Just As We Are’ (‘Tal Como Somos’) is that the film does not just focus on one aspect of the Latino gay men experience. It paints a full picture of the challenges in the Latino culture and the gay men within: the strong religion upbringing, the macho attitude, the identity issues and the stigma that many of them go through to find themselves. From New York City to San Francisco, the men (and woman) in the film represent the struggles and accomplishments they have endured.

One of the most significant and candid interviewees is Gabriella, from Washington D.C., who survived substance abuse and beauty pageants. In short, she is a force to be reckoned with because not only is she finally in a happier place – both with family and in a loving relationship – but she continuously work with an AIDS and education outreach program to help those – who just like her once – might need direction through life. And McCray is able to capture her enduring bravery through tears and laughter in the film.

‘Just As We Are’ is without a doubt a remarkable film that everyone should see. Not only for educational purposes but also for the fact that regardless of sexual definition or identity – everyone has a story to tell and that is ultimately the greatest human connection there is. It doesn’t matter if one is gay, straight, bisexual, transgender or a purple alien the struggles and experiences of identity – finding ourselves – are universal for everyone.