Neirud

Spurred by her aunt’s death, documentarian Fernanda Faya uncovers the truth behind her aunt Neirud’s career as a mid-century circus performer and woman wrestler (known under the vile moniker “the Gorilla Woman”), Brazil’s secret feminist history, and why Faya’s family kept it under wraps for so long. Filmmaker Fernanda Faya dives into untold family history with NEIRUD, a documentary tribute to the lives her family lived before she knew them. Growing up, her family’s history as circus performers was known, including her grandmother Nely’s past as an actress and circus owner. But less was known about her beloved aunt Neirud, a Black woman accepted into the family but with no remaining photographs or memorabilia from her circus past. As Faya begins to dig into Neirud’s origins, she discovers Neirud’s notorious reputation as wrestler persona, “Gorilla Woman,” during a time when Brazil restricted the actions of women. In searching the past, Faya reveals a personal history at the convergence of race, gender, queerness, and religion, ultimately painting a loving portrait that leaves us questioning how far the culture has progressed. —C.F.GUEST(S) IN ATTENDANCE