Manuel (Carlos Flores, Jr) is a gay Latino teen who lacks guidance and support. Even though his mother, Anna (Virginia Blanco) deeply cares for him, she is only able to prove and instill her love through videotapes made from afar. Keeping his sexuality and boyfriend (Connery Morano) a secret from his homophobic father (Roy Manzanares), Manuel must decide the life he wants to live or end.
Director Statement
Guardian was made to honor my mother who died of cancer when I was five years old. During her battle with the terminal illness, my mother purchased a camera and intended to create tapes for me to watch throughout my life. However, she believed that if those tapes were made then she would be ultimately accepting the fact that she wouldn’t see me grow. Therefore, she tucked the camera away. After she passed, I was raised by my dad who tried to mold me into his own image, but my mom’s presence never left me. This film is an exploration of my memories of her and what I think she would have told me if she was still alive.
Manuel’s story is about choosing between prescriptive masculinity and unconditional love and acceptance. Within the Latinx community, the patriarchal system influences interpersonal relationships. As a result, many members of the LGBT community, experience abuse, and internalized oppression. Within the story, Manuel is forced deeper in the closet by his own father’s machismoism, but his mother’s love reaches him. Creating a realistic story world with inevitable tragedy, I wanted Anna and Manuel to be strong, relatable, and imperfect characters who find peace in a time of distress.
Guardian has screened at over a dozen festivals, received several awards including Best LGBT Film, Best Directing, and a Barbara Hammer grant that allowed us to continue the festival circuit. As a first-time filmmaker, I am proud of what the short has accomplished and how it has impacted audiences.
