The Garden Left Behind

Tina, played by a sensitive and engaging Carlie Guevara, lives between worlds as an undocumented immigrant and trans woman in New York City. Tina lives with her charming grandmother Eliana whose dreams of returning to Mexico clash with Tina’s desire to fit in and make it big in the “Big Apple.” As a cab driver Tina struggles to make a living for herself and her grandmother with the hope of someday saving enough to begin the process of medical transitioning. While the clash of worlds and identities is a constant point of tension between Tina and her abuela, she finds comfort and a new found passion for activism with a group of trans friends.

Director Flavio Alves’ first feature film is bolstered by a rich supporting cast including longtime Hollywood veterans like Michael Madsen (RESERVOIR DOGS, KILL BILL) and Ed Asner (THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW, ROOTS). THE GARDEN LEFT BEHIND is a thoughtful and unflinching look at the complications facing the LGBTQ Latinx and undocumented communities who struggle to navigate their identity in a world that seeks to negate their right to exist. Alves’ debut well captures the fear, uncertainty, and joy that Tina finds in the process of fully embracing her identity.