Everybody is talking about her.
A year ago, Harmony Santana was 19, living in transitional housing in Harlem, and working as a peer educator at Bronx AIDS Services. She was still living as a boy and thinking about going into the medical field.
Now, she's starring as Michael/Vanessa in Gun Hill Road, a drama set in the Bronx about an ex-convict who returns from prison to discover his son, Michael, is transitioning into a woman. The film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January; created a buzz at Newfest in July; and opened in New York City on Friday.
Directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green, Gun Hill Road provides a rare cinematic glimpse into the complex relationship between a transgender person and her family. What's even rarer is that one of the lead actors, Santana, is also transitioning in real life and living many of the experiences seen on screen.
For Santana, there's a connection between her work handing out condoms and giving HIV tests and her new visibility on the red carpet (and in the pages of The New York Times). She's always been a loud, proud advocate for the underserved: marching with friends against homelessness, in favor of gay marriage, and for programs for transgender youth. Her film debut simply allows her to use her voice to reach a broader audience.
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Complete article at The Body : http://bit.ly/pXSCpV
