The trials and tribulations of the LGBTQ community have been documented in film for decades. Films like Moonlight and Milk have met critical acclaim, yet the real stories are in nonfiction films. Carlos Jauregui: The Unforgettable Fag tells the story of one of South America’s most acclaimed LGBTQ figures. It belongs on public or academic library shelves with a focus on international queer legislation.
Hailing from Argentina, Carlos spent significant time abroad in the US and Paris. It was during this time he learned about the progression of gay rights activism and was inspired to lead the charge in his native land. In 1982, Carlos became the founder of the country’s first LGBTQ organization Argentina Homosexual Community (Comunidad Homosexual Argentina).
Carlos and his lover participated in a magazine spread, costing Carlos his job. In 1992, Carlos led the first Gay Pride March in the country, which, although sparsely attended, was deemed a landmark event.
A pivotal moment in the documentary comes when Carlos discusses the “four legs” of the LGBTQ movement. “Gays, lesbians, transvestites, and transexuals” had to unite, and if any of the legs were missing, “the table would fall down.” Carlos, although an inspired figure throughout, is also tragic, as many of his actions fall on deaf ears. However, prior to his death, he penned legislation known as Article 11. Article 11 would make it illegal in the country to discriminate someone based on sexual preference or gender identity.
The film is brutal at points (the death of Carlos’s lover due to HIV is heartbreaking), yet it highlights the struggles many people have had, and, unfortunately, continue to have. The educational documentary should be required viewing for LGBTQ youth, as well as queer studies professors.
This is the life story of Carlos Jauregui, the most important LGBTQ activist in Argentina in the 80s and 90s. His leadership and tenacity led to greater equality, dignity, and visibility for the LGBTQ movement in Argentina.
CARLOS JÁUREGUI: THE UNFORGETTABLE FAG
Catalog # EPF16028; UPC: 6 6-82086-16028-3; ISBN: 978-1-933724-68-3; NTSC
81 Minutes; Copyright 2017; Spanish, English Subtitles
AWARDS
- Best Documentary, Audience award– LesGaiCineMad
- Best Documentary Director, Jury’s award – LesGaiCineMad
- Opening Festival Film - AMOR, Festival Internacional LGBT+, Santiago, Chile
FILM FESTIVALS
- Asterisco LGBTIQ International Film Festival, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Ciclo de Cine LGBT de la Frontera, Cuernavaca, Mexico
- Festival Cordillera, Festival de cine ecuatoriano en Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argetina
- MiFO, LGBT Film Festivals, Miami, USA
- MIX MEXICO, Festival de Diversidad Sexual de Cine y Video, Mexico City, México
- Muestra de Cine Queer, Bucaramanga, Colombia
- OUTFEST PERÚ, Lima, Perú
- Festival de Cine, Diversidad sexual y DD. HH., La Paz, Bolivia.
- MIC Género Tour, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
- Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Durban, South Africa
- FIDBA – Festival Internacional de Documental de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Llamale H - Festival Internacional de Cine de Diversidad Sexual, Montevideo, Uruguay
- SQIFF – Scottish Queer International Film Festival, Scotland, UK
- Espacio Queer, Festival Internacional de Cine de Diversidad Sexual, La Plata, Argentina
- LesGaiCineMad, Madrid, España
- FESTIVQ, Caracas, Venezuela
THE FILMMAKER
Lucas Santa Ana graduated as Writer of the ENERC-INCAA (National School of Experimentation and Filmmaking from Argentina). He participated in the Talent Campus Buenos Aires in 2005 with his screenplay "Como una novia sin sexo." (Bromance). The script was selected in 2006 to the script contest at La Habana International Film Festival. He wrote and directed short films among which are: Vida Nueva (2013-direction), a familiar air (2013-script and direction), Keys (2011-script and direction), The incredible story of Asterion and Clotilda (2002-script ). The "Keys", a short film won the Audience Award at the festival Libercine 2011 and participated in several festivals around the world. After finishing his debut feature he is in the process of filming "The Unforgettable homo. Carlos Jauregui’s life" a documentary about the renowned LGBT Argentinian activist. He wrote the feature films "Schaffhaus" directed by Alberto Masliah and "Rouge Amargo" directed by Gustavo Cova both commercially premiered.