Being a transwoman has unimaginable consequences that society tends to subject the transwomen to. PJ Raval’s documentary speaks volumes on the challenges that these unique gender faces as if it were their own choice to be the way they are. Jennifer’s case represents many other similar cases that transgender women experience in society which often remain unreported. The US marine, Pemberton, who is the main suspect in the murder of Jennifer, claims that he got irritated when he realized that Jennifer was a transwoman. As a result, he strangled her to death because he could not stand her sight. He walked out of the room unshaken, yet he had just taken someone else’s life.
Pemberton also refers to Jennifer as ‘it,’ meaning that she did not deserve to be human. On the contrary, Jennifer’s mother’s tears and the anguish she portrays as she mourns her daughter’s death indicate how important she was to her family despite having a unique gender. Her mother says how responsible and supportive she was to the family.
The somber soundtrack in the background of this scene shows the pain that transwomen and those who adore their experience in society. It also enables the audience to associate with the plight transwomen face and sympathize with them. The monologue by Jennifer’s family attorney, Virgie Suarez, reveals the crucial details of the incident that led to her death, enabling the audience to associate with the horror that transwomen experience. The lighting of the scene is low-key with maximized shadows awakening the sadness of the story and describing the brutal manner in which Jennifer was killed.
In conclusion, the cinematography is an influential art highlighting the critical issues that unique groups face. It acts as a voice for the minority groups to express the pain they experience at the hands of the brutal majority. This film uncovers the plight of many transwomen who experience various forms of injustice in society because of their uniqueness. Different techniques used in the filming of the story, such as monologue, show the magnitude of the challenges that transwomen experience. Jennifer’s story shows how transwomen defy odds to become responsible people in the community with ambitions just like other women. However, their dreams and ambitions are usually cut short when mistreated and murdered by those who believe that transgender should not exist (Raval, 2018).
Work Cited
Raval, PJ. Call Her Ganda. 2018.