Lingua Franca

ARRAY Releasing | Release Date (Streaming): August 26, 2020

6.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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TVJerrySep 9, 2020

Isabel Sandoval has previously written and directed 2 films under her previous male identity Vincent, but this is her first foray after transitioning. She plays an undocumented Filipino trans woman, who works as a caregiver for an elderlyIsabel Sandoval has previously written and directed 2 films under her previous male identity Vincent, but this is her first foray after transitioning. She plays an undocumented Filipino trans woman, who works as a caregiver for an elderly Russian. She’s also saving money to send back home, looking for a green-card marriage and constantly stressed from the threats of abrupt deportation. The Russian’s grandson offers some respite and hope, but her own doubts create additional anxiety. Even with the often-static camera and simple setups, the characters are well realized. Even so, the emotions are guarded, which never allows the drama full reign. The narrative sometimes veers abruptly leaving some confusion. Still, this is an interesting low-budget, indie film this is a quite personal and quietly compelling. (In Tagalog, Cebuano and English with NO subtitles, so turn on the CC or you’ll be lost.)… Expand

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katezoeOct 4, 2020

Sensitive and thoughtful film on some hard topics our society is grappling with. Kudos to director Isabel Sandoval.

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Brent_MarchantApr 20, 2021

While this story of an undocumented transgender Filipino care giver seeking to find a way to legally remain stateside stems from a potentially engaging premise, it never goes anywhere once launched. The film's slight, underdevelopedWhile this story of an undocumented transgender Filipino care giver seeking to find a way to legally remain stateside stems from a potentially engaging premise, it never goes anywhere once launched. The film's slight, underdeveloped narrative, with its many story threads that never fully pan out, yields a picture that flails about in search of focus. That's unfortunate, because writer-director Isabel Sandoval's latest has a rich vein of material to draw from if only it were given the development needed to make it flourish cinematically. What viewers are left with is a meandering piece with lots of long, lingering, gorgeously photographed shots that add little to a story that doesn't know where it ultimately wants to go.… Expand

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JLuis_001Apr 29, 2022

By combining two challenging experiences like being a trans woman and at the same time an illegal immigrant, Lingua Franca becomes a very relevant film.

The story is one that could easily have chosen darker and much more dramatic paths thanBy combining two challenging experiences like being a trans woman and at the same time an illegal immigrant, Lingua Franca becomes a very relevant film.

The story is one that could easily have chosen darker and much more dramatic paths than what it ends up presenting, but at the same time this provides a sense of naturalness that would have been more difficult to apply in a harsher drama.

I do criticize the director for not digging a little deeper into the situations she exposes, because even though these situations are not just on the surface, let's say it lacks a little more in-depth exploration and a bit of more background for her characters.

Very convincing, but overall it ends up being overly timid and discreet.… Expand

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