Lupe - A Cidade dos Sonhos

This is a genuinely independent film, with a delicate approach to a personal drama.

Rafael is a young cuban boy who goes to New York to look for his sister, who was taken there as a teenager to be a prostitute.

He is an talented boxer and uses his skills when he descends into the underworld of prostitution to look for his sister. He gives big beating to pimps that get in his way.

This creates an interesting contrast, because, despite being a strong and very masculine man, he has transgender desires, and dresses up as a woman from time to time.

The film tells the various sides of the story realistically. Worth it.

I hadn't heard about this 2019 movie titled "Lupe" from writers Celia Harrison, Andre Phillips and Charles Vuolo before now in 2021, when I was presented with the opportunity to watch the movie.

So as I sat down to watch "Lupe", the slate was clean and directors Andre Phillips and Charles Vuolo had every opportunity to impress and entertainment. And I must admit that "Lupe" actually turned out to be an adequate movie. Sure, it wasn't an outstanding movie or one that completely blew me away. But it was a nice enough movie.

It was the rather very engaging acting performances that carried the movie, as the storyline was a bit simplistic really. I mean the whole concept of Rafael coming to USA to look for his lost older sister sort of just fell back to the background and was overshadowed by the transgendered theme of the movie.

I believe that "Lupe" is a movie that will not find a wide appeal with just everyone in the audience, as it is a rather slow paced movie, though with some in-depth aspects of personal growth and coming to terms with one self and one's sexuality. But hey, if you enjoy a well-acted personal drama, then you should give "Lupe" a gander.

Actor Rafael Albarran definitely put on a good performance in the movie in his particular character and the transformation he underwent. And I will say that his performance actually made it well-worth sitting down to watch this 2019 movie.

I was adequately entertained by "Lupe" and it is definitely a movie that I would recommend you take the time to sit down and watch, especially if you enjoy movies that are more than just flashing explosions and high speed chases.

My rating of "Lupe" lands on a six out of ten stars.

A female relative, that vanished years ago, a man goes hunting the sexual underground world to find her. the hunt ends up in new york, trailing the street prostitutes for help in his search.

its a grell description of life in the poor vicinities of rural cuba,, where inbreds and sex crimes within the family nest, and children exported for sale on the sexual marketplace makes the tone of it all. its also a film about sexual identity, with limelight spread onto transgenderism, but also to other ways of sexual preference and lifestyle.

its a story with loads of flashbacks, that demands quite a bit of attention and a whole lot of vivid fantasy from yourself to fill the loopholes of the script. there are loads off male and female nudity, sexual activity and all kinds of bare knuckle violence and partially its very well developed in the self identity processes. its a film shifting between english and cubano, and may feel difficult to follow caused by bad cc's. but its a well acted, down to earth tell tale for the grown up part of the audience. at least you learn that searching for lost person in the city of new york aint easy,, cause remember its a big city...

this is a film as far away as you can get from comedy, its not original at all, but it works cause its a well made human story, so a 6 from the grumpy old man, with a little recommend if you like this genrestrain.

The one theme of this film that drew me into the story is loneliness. Not just loneliness but the struggle that occurs when someone is transplanted from one world to another. In Lupe is about Rafael who traveled from Cuba to the US in search of his sister. In New York, Rafael is not only searching for his sister but also for him/her identity. New York is portrayed in a cold brutal manner while Cuba warm, loving and nostalgic.

Good acting from the main character and interesting twist in the plot makes this a worthy indie film.

My favorite films are lower budget independent films because you really have a chance to see the acting, directing and the story...and the filmmakers and actors did a great job at capturing real life. A lot of people wonder about gender identity because they don't have to personally struggle with it. This film may offer some insight into some of that struggle. Very well done.