The Journey of Monalisa

After years surviving on the streets of New York as an undocumented sex worker, Iván Monalisa reconnects with a former college classmate, Nicole, who now directs this film. The reunion sparks a shared creative energy that lets Monalisa reclaim her voice as a transgender performer and writer. The documentary follows her search for identity and a path to legalization, while the two engage in candid conversations, rehearsed performances, and the daily realities of survival. The film remains intimate and observational, letting Monalisa speak openly about love, belonging and art, in moments that feel honest rather than sensational. There aren't any conventional twists here, just a patient portrait that records real triumphs and setbacks through a feminist friendship.

Directed by Nicole Costa with creator Lissette Orozco, the film draws on Iván Monalisa's real life as a transgender performer. It debuted in 2019 as a documentary focusing on personal and immigrant experiences. The production blends intimate interview footage with performances and rehearsal sessions, offering a sense of the subject's artistic life.

Box office data for this documentary is not publicly reported, reflecting a limited release and niche audience. Without widely available figures, financial performance remains unclear in mainstream outlets. It has appeared in select festivals and academic screenings where discussions about immigration policy and transgender art have followed showings.

Reception notes the film's intimate access and its focus on dignity rather than drama. Thematically it looks at identity, resilience, community, and the fight for legal recognition, with art and storytelling treated as essential tools for self definition. Audience responses often emphasize the film's honest portrayal of a community that rarely has a voice on screen.

Though not a mainstream release, the documentary adds to conversations about transgender artists and immigrant workers in New York, offering a rare firsthand portrait of a performer balancing cultural expectations with legal hurdles. It may resonate in indie circles.