My Fierce Aunt Bianca

Director: María José Maldonado & Latavia Alicia Young

Producers: Latavia Alicia Young & María José Maldonado

Philadelphia Premiere

Country of Production: United States

Date of Completion: 2023

Duration of Film: 10 Minutes

While planning a birthday party for her late aunt Bianca “Exotica” Maldonado, María José Maldonado revisits the past in order to celebrate and correct Bianca’s legacy as a transgender woman.

We follow María José in taking the first steps in fulfilling her promise to Bianca through understanding her childhood as told by Bianca’s mother, Gloria Voelcker, revisiting the fun of New York City in the '90s as well as the formidable moments with Bianca’s best friend, Nana Nazario, and creating meaning and connection through spiritual practice with Bianca’s niece, Andromeda Rodriguez. Marrying those moments with María José’s fond childhood memories of spending time with Bianca, we experience a visual and auditory tribute to both Bianca herself and their relationship. The film culminates at Bianca’s 57th birthday party and reinforces the copious but, at times, contemptuous love that Bianca—and many trans folx today—receive from friends and family.