The film tells the story of Magdalena / Paloma, a Colombian student, who pole-dances her way through college in NYC and struggles to find a way to tell her boyfriend what she does for a living.
Andrea Calao is the writer, producer and lead actress of this short. She specializes in film, video and performance creations and is particularly interested in exploring the ‘decolonization processes of feminized and racialized bodies within transmedia platforms’. She trained as an actress and dancer at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Performing Arts BFA, and went on to study film at New York University. Previously, she created a number of shorts in which she was also the writer, director and star.
In its brief 16 minutes, this impressive short manages to convey layers of emotion as it opens up a debate about student sex workers, not only in New York but everywhere. 75% of the cast in this film and 50 % of the crew are themselves sex workers, who have faced discrimination and problems just like Magdalena in the film.
Andrea Calao as Magdalena and Juan Pablo Gamboa as Pedro
I recall, as far back as the late 1960s, I came across students in Austria resorting to sex work to complete their studies. Interestingly, I did not notice any prejudice there at the time, and recall how my friends passed by a student girl touting for business, and briefly discussed the previous day’s exam, ending with a: “See you at the lecture tomorrow!” So, this is not an entirely new issue, that Calao has highlighted. It’s probably been around as long as it has been costly to study. Calao’s film brings out not only the charm and skill of the girls, but their powerful camaraderie. In this film, however, it is a shock to realize how Paloma is treated by those who claim to care for her.
Magdalena comforts an older man, Pedro, who weeps unreservedly about how much he loves her, and wants to provide for her: “Magdalena,Te amo” But she is very clear, work is work, and her private life is separate, and, she has her own boyfriend. But in that same private life, Magdalena/Paloma suffers, as she does not know how to reveal to her boyfriend what she does as a job to survive. When, finally, her situation is exposed, no one comes to her aid. Toxic masculinity prevails.
Simón Elías as Tomás and Andrea Calao as Paloma
Due to the fact that 75% of the cast are sex workers and 50% of the crew, one immediately realises how genuine the film feels. Sex Workers as well as Pole-dancers, quite rightly, are proud of their work. There is a special skill required make pole-dancing look easy, let alone sexy and attractive. (Definitely not recommended to be tried at home)
In the film Magdalena / Paloma the lead, is proud to provide for herself. She pays for her life, her own apartment and her studies with no help, unlike her boyfriend, who is totally dependent on his father, yet he feels he has the right to criticize her with a profound insensitivity.
Interestingly, it is precisely these prejudices that Andrea Calao is hoping to influence. Her hopes are that this short movie will affect the way people perceive sex workers and help to change the narrative. Andrea Calao made a specific effort to convey the powerful feel of real authenticity and honesty. Her research for the film took around four years, studying different aspects of sex work, transactional sexuality, and the link to higher education in the city.
Through her production company Bendecida XO, Andrea Calao is developing several new projects including an erotic-surreal comedy web series, as well as a feature film ‘The Warehouse,’ which she co-wrote with Sundance award winning writer / director Alrick Brown.
Andrea Calao and colleagues at the New York International Film Festival
MAGDALENA, TE AMO (2024) SHORT
The film is about to be screened at the Austin Film Festival Oct 24-31 2024
Writer/ Director/ Producer: Andrea Calao / Producers:Cami Olses, Ana Juanola, Menny Son /Music:Alexandra Funes / Cinematography: Cece Chan / Editors: Kiana Dittman and Nicola Ríos /Visual FX: Nicola Ríos
CAST : Magdalena/ Paloma:Andrea Calao /Tomás: Simón Elías /Pedro: Juan Pablo Gamboa
