Your Mother’s Comfort

Your Mother’s Comfort follows Indianara Siquiera, a Brazilian trans activist, politician, and mother of a homeless LGBTQ+ shelter. She’s a fantastic human being, and this film is a worthy celebration of her, the work she does, and the lives she touches. Through her and those she cares for, the film manages to showcase and honour the richness of Brazilian queer culture.

These more hopeful aspects of the documentary are set against the backdrop of the 2018 Brazilian General Election, leading to the eventual appointment of Jair Bolsonaro. His appointment is an example in the recent global trend of right-wing figures gaining power through sensationalism. It’s disgusting that someone with views like his managed to get into politics, let alone become the president. It’s a heavy film in that regard, but that just makes it all the more necessary for it to be seen by as many people as it can be.

Bolsonaro has recently been making efforts to heavily censor the Brazilian film industry, which unfortunately means films like this could become much rarer going forward. Indianara and her peers are voices at risk of being lost. Their voices need to be heard and I hope this film manages to carry her voice to as many people as it possible can. 

Written by Ben Matthews