The Finellis Interview

January saw the launch of the acclaimed and award-winning The Finellis Movie. Richard from Transliving was able to see an advance copy and speak (via zoom) to the producer and lead actor Mark Janicello, who plays the main character Tony Finelli, and to transgender actress and activist Kim Tatum (also known as Mzz Kimberley), who plays Eva Klein-Gutiérrez.

- Richard

The film is based on Mark’s own life experience. Tony is released from prison in Berlin after serving a 15-year sentence; he returns to his former family to discover how all of his relationships have changed. Tony struggles with who he is and where his life has brought him. Tony, a popular performer before his incarceration, is introduced to a nightclub owner, Eva, as he tries to re-establish his dormant career. Tony, encouraged by his manager Jurgen, auditions for a role that involves dressing in drag. We see Tony’s internal struggles with his identity laid bare: this contrasts with transgender Eva, who is completely comfortable in her own skin having worked through her struggles.

The film is reviewed on the Transliving website (see links panel); here, we get to talk to the two key people behind the movie.

The first thing that struck me as I meet Mark and Kim (albeit online) is how easy Mark and Kim are to relate to as people. Conversation flowed freely and naturally, and I was readily at ease and in my comfort zone. It’s clear that both Mark and Kim have both a good working relationship and a friendship. We laughed easily. And although I was there to interview them, there was a genuine interest in finding out things about me too. We could have easily chatted way beyond the limited time we had.