Ecuador's 'Ñusta': A Bold Queer Debut

Director Christian Rojas' debut feature, "Princess" ("Ñusta"), is set to premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. The film centers on Kallpa, a 12-year-old Indigenous girl from the Andes who dreams of being chosen as the community's princess but faces the reality of being assigned male at birth. "Princess" explores her journey of gender identity and transition, deeply connected to her Indigenous heritage and the Andean worldview.

MMM Film Sales has acquired international rights to the film, citing its "sensory, singular approach to storytelling." Produced by Ecuador's Epopeya and Oso Rojo Films with international co-producers, the film emphasizes intimacy and silenced memory. Director Rojas highlighted the diversity of Ecuador's Indigenous societies, noting that "Ñusta" is not tied to a specific community but rather draws from the Andes. The filmmaking process involved significant dialogue and collaboration with the community of Sid Sid Anejo, where it was filmed.

Rojas aimed to portray Kallpa embracing her Indigenous identity despite societal rejection, emphasizing that identity is multifaceted and deserves to exist without restriction. He also sought to offer a diverse queer representation, moving beyond stereotypes. The film is set in 1997, a year marked by the "Night of the Abanicos" incident in Cuenca, which symbolized persecution faced by the LGBTIQ+ community in Ecuador. Rojas hopes the film fosters understanding and acceptance within conservative sectors of Ecuadorian society.