Lingua Franca

Olivia, a Filipina trans woman, takes on the responsibility of being a live-in caregiver for Olga, an elderly Russian-Jewish woman living with early-stage dementia. In the vibrant neighborhood of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, Olivia provides essential support, offering reassurance to Olga, who frequently doubts her own living environment.

Living undocumented in the United States, Olivia faces constant anxiety about potential detention by ICE agents. This looming fear heightens her emotional burden as she navigates the intricacies of caring for Olga while also supporting her family back in the Philippines with her earnings.

Olivia is also in a long-distance relationship with Matthew, her American boyfriend, whom she hopes to marry for a green card. Despite her affection for him, the complexities of life in America weigh on her, particularly as she feels the urgency of establishing a more secure future.

Alex, Olga's grandson, returns from rehab and quickly complicates Olivia's life even further. As he attempts to regain his balance after struggling with addiction, his return brings an added layer of tension to Olivia's already challenging domestic situation.

As Olivia provides diligent care for Olga, she begins to develop unexpected feelings for Alex. His reading of love letters from his late grandfather sparks a connection between them, leading Olivia to confide in him about her undocumented status and hopeful aspirations forthe future.

In a troubling incident, Andrei, a friend of Alex, rummages through Olivia's belongings while she showers, stealing money and discovering her passport. This act of betrayal not only violates Olivia's privacy but also reveals sensitive information about her identity to Alex, increasing her fear of losing everything.

After learning of Olivia's past, Alex struggles with his feelings and the weight of this newfound knowledge. Despite the opportunity to be honest with Olivia, he opts to keep her secret, which deepens the complexities of their budding relationship and heightens Olivia's anxiety.

Alex faces a setback when he is fired from his job at the slaughterhouse due to appearing drunk at work. This incident amplifies his inner turmoil, pushing him to confront his demons while trying to balance his responsibilities towards Olivia and their evolving relationship.

During an emotionally charged overnight trip to Atlantic City, Alex attempts to comfort Olivia amidst the distressing news about immigration raids. It is here that he proposes marriage, offering her a glimpse of hope and a vision for a future family, despite their unresolved issues.

As their relationship deepens, Olivia finds herself hesitant about Alex's proposal. She recognizes the need to return her passport to him, symbolizing the secrets that still linger between them, and the weight of truths that must inevitably emerge.

In a poignant moment, Olivia makes the difficult decision to communicate her reservations about marriage. Although Alex hopes for a future together, her decision reflects the challenges of their relationship and her journey towards self-acceptance amid uncertainty.

Despite her internal struggles, Olivia reaches out to her family back in the Philippines, sharing news of a new job and someone special in her life. This communication reveals her resilience and desire to maintain connections with her roots, even as she navigates through uncharted territory.

As the story comes to a close, Olga, too, continues to battle her fading memories and deepening dementia. Her character serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of the connections we have with those who care for us.

The film ends with Olivia still grappling with her identity and the path ahead. While she contemplates her next steps, the ambiguities of her journey linger, leaving the audience to reflect on the complexities of love, identity, and survival in an often unforgiving world.