Donna

2022

1h 15m

Documentary

LGBTQ+

List

71%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

Lip-synching in downtown bars, late-blooming performer Donna Personna is sustained by undimmed aspirations and fond memories of her estranged siblings. On being offered a new creative opportunity, Donna takes hold with both hands, not suspecting where it may lead.

Read More

Read Less

Lillian Crawford

Empire Magazine

Jay Bedwani uses his experience in San Francisco’s queer community to craft a moving portrait of Donna Personna’s life, while also shedding light on a watershed moment in queer history.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 15, 2022

Full Review

Marina Ashioti

Little White Lies

Donna’s laugh is infectious and trans joy is beautiful.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 14, 2022

Full Review

Phuong Le

Guardian

Trans activist and artist Donna Personna possesses considerable personal magnetism, and Jay Bedwani’s documentary makes a beautiful love letter to this grandee of San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 13, 2022

Full Review

Cathy Brennan

VODzilla.co

This moving documentary about 70-year-old trans woman Donna Personna is a missed opportunity.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 1, 2022

Full Review

Maria Lattila

WhyNow (UK)

Donna never quite reaches its full potential, but it’s a sweet, tender and immensely positive documentary about a trans activist everyone in the San Jose area seems to know.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 21, 2022

Full Review

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Director Jay Bedwani maintains a relaxed pace and observational perspective, keeping the feisty, colourful Donna in the frame.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 20, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

Beautiful, and tender!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Jay Bedwani

Director

Donna Personna

Self

Clair Farley

Self

Mark Nassar

Self

Pina Busch

Self

Matt Goodfellow

Self

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

95%

64%

The Stroll

100%

95%

Beyond the Aggressives: 25 Years Later

100%

52%

Changing the Game

94%

%

Chasing Chasing Amy

100%

%

Are You Proud?

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Lip-synching in downtown bars, late-blooming performer Donna Personna is sustained by undimmed aspirations and fond memories of her estranged siblings. On being offered a new creative opportunity, Donna takes hold with both hands, not suspecting where it may lead.

Director: Jay Bedwani
Producer: Suzanne Alizart, Ian Bonhôte, Andee Ryder, Kimberley Warner
Screenwriter: Collette Legrande, Mark Nassar, Donna Personna
Production Co: Misfits Entertainment
Genre: Documentary, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 15m