MEMOIRS OF THE (NON)EXISTENT ME

Marina's chosen family fights for her legacy to be recognized following her death. Her memoirs and the portrait of her identity are hostage in a dispute to claim her gender.

  • Thiago Kistenmacker
    Director
    Thy Kingdom Come (2014), Melody of Darkness (2016), Before Today (2017), Drawing (2018)
  • Thiago Kistenmacker
    Writer
    Thy Kingdom Come (2014), Melody of Darkness (2016), Before Today (2017), Drawing (2018)
  • Thiago Kistenmacker
    Producer
    Thy Kingdom Come (2014), Melody of Darkness (2016), Before Today (2017), Drawing (2018)
  • Sanni Est
    Key Cast
    "Marina"
    Before Today (2017)
  • Gabriela Reis
    Key Cast
    "Bia"
    Before Today (2017)
  • Fernando Alves Pinto
    Key Cast
    "Pai (Father)"
    Foreign Land (1995), 2 Rabbits (2012), To My Beloved (2015)
  • Gabriel Freire
    Key Cast
    "Marina aos 10 anos (Marina at 10 years old)"
  • Mitat Marques
    Key Cast
    "Mãe (Mother)"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    MEMÓRIA DE QUEM (NÃO) FUI
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 30, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    6,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Brazil
  • Country of Filming:
    Brazil
  • Language:
    Portuguese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • DIGO: Festival da Diversidade Sexual
    Goiás
    Brazil
    June 3, 2021
    Public's Choice Award
  • Las Vegas Queer Arts Film Festival
    Las Vegas
    United States
    October 15, 2021
    Best Screenplay
  • Leeds International Film Festival
    Leeds
    United Kingdom
    November 10, 2021
  • Gramado Film Festival
    Gramado
    Brazil
    August 13, 2021
  • Wicked Queer: The Boston LGBT Film Festival
    Boston
    United States
    April 1, 2021
    World Premiere
  • Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival
    Ramsgate
    United Kingdom
    June 3, 2021
  • OutFilm CT - Connecticut's LGBT Film Festival
    Connecticut
    United States
    June 4, 2021
  • Outfest Peru
    Lima
    Peru
    July 1, 2021
  • Rio Festival de Cinema LGBTQIA+
    Rio de Janeiro
    Brazil
    July 8, 2021
  • Curta o Gênero
    Fortaleza
    Brazil
    August 17, 2021
  • aGLIFF - Prism Film Festival
    Austin
    United States
    August 26, 2021
  • Way Out West Film Fest
    New Mexico
    United States
    October 15, 2021
  • Beijing Queer Film Festival
    Mansion Chaoyang District
    China
    November 5, 2021
  • Thessaloniki International GLAD Film Festival
    Thessaloniki
    Greece
    November 18, 2021
  • Chéries-Chéris Festival Du Film LGBTQI &+++ de Paris
    Paris
    France
    November 20, 2021
  • Bogoshorts
    Bogotá
    Colombia
    December 7, 2021
  • Festival Cine MIS
    São Paulo
    Brazil
    December 17, 2021
  • San Diego Latino Film Festival
    San Diego
    United States
    March 10, 2022
  • Outfest Fusion
    Los Angeles
    United States
    April 8, 2022
  • Image+Nation Festival Courts Queer Short Film Fest
    Montreal
    Canada
    April 21, 2022
    Canadian Premiere
  • Korea Queer Film Festival
    Seoul
    Korea, Republic of
    June 10, 2022
    Korean Premiere
  • Festival de Cinema de Caruaru
    Caruaru
    Brazil
    Melhor Roteiro
  • Festival Taguatinga de Cinema
    Brasília
    Brazil
    Melhor Filme
Director Biography - Thiago Kistenmacker

From Rio's outskirts, Thiago debuted with "Thy kingdom come" (2014). It was a successful no-budget short film as the following "Melody of darkness" (2016) and "Before Today" (2017) would be, portraying local LGBTQIA+ narratives through his optics. In 2018 he was invited to direct the short movie "Drawing" outside Rio after a LA screening of his work. "Memoirs of the (non)existent me" (2021), his 5th movie, was one of the 12 films selected amongst 500+ submissions to be financed by a local production grant.

Thiago multitasks directing, producing, editing, and writing his movies as a way to get them made without having the proper support to do so.

With his work, he's been awarded in festivals such as the 46th Gramado Int Film Fest - Brazil's most traditional festival -, selected through 30+ countries in festivals such as Leeds Int. Film Festival, Inside Out Toronto, Outfest Fusion, and broadcasted on TV. He is currently a member of the Brazilian Movie Academy.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Brazil has the largest number of trans people killed in the world, according to the National Association of Trans and Queer People. The majority of victims are POC. We have kept first place in this mediocre worldwide ranking since 2008, when the data recording began. By the end of 2021, 3 years into Bolsonaro's presidency and the increasing normalization of hatred, the total number of LGBTQIA+ murders reached its highest peak ever.

Five years ago I came across the real news that inspired our movie and wrote the first draft of the screenplay. As a queer man unaware of such cruel acts being even possible, so I felt the need to address it on the screen. Bringing light to neglected narratives has always been the synthesis of our movie label, Rotatória Filmes.

It was a privilege to produce this film amidst constant attacks on our culture. Every reaction to it has been very emotional, especially when it comes from those in the audience who had experienced the same with a friend or a lover. We hope this movie makes them feel seen and embraced.

We are here and we won't be erased.