Tchinda Andrade is the transvestite that gave her name to all the trannies of Sao Vicente, a tiny island in Cape Verde. This is her life, her daily existence and her dream: to organize the great Carnival in February. There is turmoil, sweat and tears, but also great island peace, total sexual freedom and unconditional love. A beautiful story of utopia-come-true.
Tchinda Andrade is the transgender woman that gave her name to all transgender people in Sao Vicente, a tiny island in Cape Verde. It's a great honour: that your first name christens a sexual orientation. Tchindas captures Andrade's daily existence, and also her dream: to organize the great Carnival in February. Along with her cronies, Edinha Pitanga and Elvis Tolentino, our heroine – who lives from selling donuts – embarks on the crusade. There are setbacks, sweat and tears, but also great island peace, total emancipation and unconditional love. Glue, feathers and glitter a go-go. Pablo García Pérez de Lara and Marc Serena, the directing duo, manage to harness the breath-taking power of collective fantasy in all its island technicolor. This is a story of utopia come true and communal effort "I should feel proud, delicate and happy", Edinha states, sizing up her costume. When the viewer sees them parade in the closing minutes of the film, shaking their tail triumphantly before an empathic crowd, you know one thing has triumphed: freedom. "Tchinda is the best, and that's that."
