An Afternoon in Agustino

In a poor neighborhood of Lima, Peru, five local leaders are trying to start a community center for gay and transgender individuals. The president of the center, Cuti, explains what it’s like to be gay in the neighborhood, how he came to open his own beauty shop and why he decided to participate in the project. The group talks about their activities, challenges they face and what they want to do in the future. The ASOCAHU center is a project of the University Cayetano Heredia and the University of California Los Angeles. Its goal is HIV & STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) prevention in men who have sex with men (MSM).

To support ASOCAHU and similar groups in Peru send an e-mail to: info@epicentro.org.pe.

I had the opportunity to shoot and edit this piece thanks to a good friend who works on this project. It was a rare opportunity to see a side of Lima that I otherwise would never have witnessed. I had always heard about the volleyball games, but never before had a chance to see it first hand. My equipment was limited and in one afternoon it was impossible to capture the full extent of what this group is trying to do. But I hope it conveys at least the sincerity of their actions and the ambition they have to overcome their circumstances. They were so charming to welcome me, feed me and take care of me in my visit, which is to say make sure that nothing happened to me in this somewhat dangerous place. Please consider supporting them if possible.

Una Tarde en el Agustino

En un barrio pobre de Lima, Peru, cinco líderes locales están tratando de empezar un centro comunitario para gente gay y transgénero. El presidente del centro, Cuti, explica cómo es ser gay en el vecindario y cómo llegó a abrir la propria peluqueria y porque decidió participar en el centro. Los líderes relatan las actividades que hacen, los retos que enfrentan y lo que quieren hacer para el futuro. El centro ASOCAHU es un proyecto respaldado por la Universidad Cayetano Heredia y la Universidad de California Los Angeles. Su objetivo es la prevención de VIH e ITS (infecciones de transmisión sexual) en hombres que tienen sexo con otros hombres (HSH).

Para apoyar ASOCAHU y grupos semejantes en el Peru envíe un mensaje a: info@epicentro.org.pe. Para participar con este grupo envíe un mensaje a: asocahu5@hotmail.com.

Gracias al grupo de ASOCAHU por acogerme con tanto cariño durante mi visita. Les deseo mucho éxito con el proyecto!

rough cut

Today I am submitting a rough cut to NewFest. Una Tarde en el Agustino (An Afternoon in Agustino) is a 14-minute short documentary that visits a group of three gay men and one transgender female who are starting a community center in their working class neighborhood in Lima, Peru. The focus of their work is education and counseling to prevent HIV & STIs (sexually transmitted infections) in their district. Cuti, the main character is an entrepreneur whose life has taken an interesting path to local activism. The final version will be done at the end of March and a trailer may eventually be posted. Who knows with the Oscar for short doc going to a film that featured an organization maybe I'm catching a wave - anyone want to finance my theatrical release? ;)

Hoy envie una version incompleta de un cortometraje a NewFest (el festival de cine LGBT de Nueva York). Una Tarde en el Agostino es un documental de 14 minutos que visita a tres hombres gais y una travesti que se dedican a fundar y desarrollar un centro comunitario en su barrio de Lima, Peru. El enfoque de su trabajo es educar al publico sobre la prevencion de VIH e ITS. Cuti, el caracter central, es el dueno de un salon de belleza cuya vida ha seguido un camino interesante al activismo.

La pelicula sera finalizada a fines de marzo y puede que se pone un anuncio video corto al fin del mes.