Donna
- Director: Jay Bedwani
- Writer: Collette Legrande, Mark Nasser, Donna Personna
- Producer: Suzanne Alizart, Ian Bonhôte, Jean-Laurent Csinidis, Xenia Glen, Dewi Gregory, Andee Ryder, Kimberley Warner
CGiii Comment
She was 60 when she made her drag debut at the iconic Aunt Charlie’s, but Donna Personna is no late bloomer. Personna has been a San Francisco fixture for decades, ever since she left her Baptist family in San Jose behind at the age of 19 and struck out for the City of Fog. Personna became a regular at the queer haven that was Compton’s Cafeteria and began performing with the legendary Cockettes.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Now in her seventies, Donna traces Personna’s intimate journey to becoming who she is today: a storyteller, an artist, an activist. Director Jay Bedwani follows Personna as she works on an immersive play detailing the riot at Compton’s that spurred the trans right movement, sharing her rich memories of that turning point. His camera also captures a long overdue reunion between Donna and her estranged family. Expanding on My Mother, Bedwani’s Iris Prize-winning short about Personna, Donna paints a captivating portrait of a fearless yet charming fighter.
Cast & Characters
Jaylyn Abergas
Pina Busch (as Performer)
Pleasure Bynight
Cruizin D'Loo (as Performer)
Vivian David (as Self)
Lavale Davis
Clair Farley
Matt Goodfellow (as Self)
Kelly J. Kelly
Kimberly Rodregues Lavan (as Self)
Collette LeGrande (as Self)
Stephen William Menasche
Jeannie Miller (as Self)
Inez Miranda-Medina (as Self)
Mandela Msanii (as Self)
Gem N'Aye (as Self)
Mark Nassar (as Self)
Drew Olvey (as Self)
Joseph Paul (as Self)
Donna Personna (as Self)
Barbara Pond (as Self)
Jacob Ritts (as Self)
Kay Roberts (as Self)
Per Sia (as Self)
Gloria Villarreal (as Self)