IQMF: Queen Of Lapa

Luana Muniz (b. 1958), lovingly nicknamed “Queen of Lapa”, left home was at the tender age of nine and soon began prostituting herself on the dangerous streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Inspired and mentored by the transgender community of the time, Luana quickly learned the rules of the street and survived a difficult period for the LGBTQ community in Brazil. Under the brutal dictatorship of the time, in addition to prostitution being illegal, it was also criminal for men to wear makeup or dress in woman’s clothing. Under those conditions it was common for transgender people to be murdered, harassed, humiliated and tortured.

This film is part of our program International Queer & Migrant Film Festival.