By: Mariah Thomas
Shame is a feeling many people, but women specifically feel all too well – especially in relation to sexual topics and conversations. There is beauty in feeling yourself represented in film through specific plots and characters. Aimee Comes First is a short film that highlights many Latina and Latino actors as well as shines a light on that sexual shame felt and works to remove it. Writer/Director/Star Aimee Garcia is a wondrous example of “be the change you want to see.”
Aimee Comes First is a biographical short film starring Aimee Garcia. The titular character sets out to have her first orgasm before her 40th birthday. Through obstacles of an overbearing (but loving) religious family and long life of shame, Aimee confides in her younger sister about her struggles. As her birthday approaches, she is thrust into an engagement to please her family. Her mother (Olga Merediz) wants to see her daughter married and desires grandchildren. In a conversation with her younger sister (Yvette Monreal), Aimee discovers she wants to put herself first for once. She’s had shame in understanding her body and the ideals of sex. While she works to remove those, she realizes doing so has opened up a new side of her that she completely wants to explore.
There is an honest and beautiful conversation Aimee has with her mother. Aimee is upfront about the shame she’s felt and where it was learned. Rather than get upset, her mother hears her out and speaks of her own experience of shame. Together, through small comedic moments and heart to hearts, they find the root of their shared sexual shame. It was beautiful to see the conversation be productive rather than add angst or more embarrassment to the situation. The heart of this film is family, and this scene acts as a sweet reminder of that.
For this film Aimee Garcia took on the roles of writing, directing, acting, producing and being the subject matter. There is a beauty in knowing what story you want to tell and being able to guide it from start to finish with your own vision at the forefront. So much love went into this project, and you instantly see and feel that. Of course, it takes a village to create a film and so many others had a hand in bringing this project to life. Wearing so many hats for this film and beautifully executing each role, I look forward to future projects from Aimee Garcia.
Often, sexual liberation is met with shame in conversation. From film to real life. This film acts as a moment for many women to feel less alone in that shame. Though there is such beauty and importance to this story being told from the perspective of a woman entering her 40th year, it can be helpful to everyone. This is one of those rare films I think everyone should watch in their lifetime. It is a beautiful reflection of the need for representation on screen while also holding a powerful message.