Black and white photos of children and adults displayed on a wall, with some photos showing children at play and during meals.

DEAR UNCLE

A feature documentary and self-reflective essay about the secrets families keep and the ways they shape us across generations.

LOGLINE

After losing a beloved uncle, queer filmmaker Marianne Amelinckx decides that the only path to collective healing is to unravel the hidden truths that bind her family together.

SYNOPSIS

While grieving the sudden loss of her beloved Uncle Ignacio, filmmaker Marianne Amelinckx sits down with her father to have a recorded conversation about a long-hidden family secret. Her goal was to unveil the mystery behind multiple family pictures circa 1950, in which her cis-male uncle Ignacio was dressed as a girl. And, as she digs out the truth behind her family’s inherited patterns, she reconnects with her estranged Uncle Andy, who has long been marginalized within the family due to a condition rarely discussed.

Black and white photo album page displaying multiple vintage photographs of children and outdoor scenes, some visible with children riding bikes and posing outdoors.

What begins as an exploration of gender norms and collective memory quickly turns into a journey down memory lane that leads Marianne back to her hometown, where she explores the places that also shaped her own queerness.

Three people sitting at a wooden table on a porch with a scenic mountain view, engaging in a heartfelt conversation. A young woman on the left reaches out and holds the hand of an elderly man on the right, while a middle-aged woman in the middle smiles warmly.
Woman with brown hair and sunglasses standing outdoors in a park-like setting with trees and buildings in the background, facing slightly upward and to the side.
A young woman and an older man with glasses sitting outdoors on a white ornate bench, engaged in conversation, with a mountainous landscape and greenery in the background.
Two women with light skin sitting across from each other at a table in a cafe, engaged in conversation. The table has cups, a small potted cactus, and a menu.

Blending personal archival with present-day encounters, the film is a powerful reckoning with generational trauma, family mythology, and the unspoken agreements that hold families together.

Interested in learning more?

GET IN TOUCH
A birthday celebration with a group of people gathered around a table, celebrating a young girl’s birthday with a chocolate cake and a lit candle. People are smiling and reaching toward the girl, who is in front of the cake.

marianne[at]theladiesroomagency[dot]com / julieta[at]theladiesroomagency[dot]com

Old black-and-white photograph of a young girl sitting on the ground holding a ball, with other photographs visible on a display board.
Two elderly men sitting and having a conversation indoors, one wearing a beige hat and the other with white hair and a dark shirt with glasses and pen in pocket.

DEAR UNCLE

A feature documentary and self-reflective essay about the secrets families keep and the ways they shape us across generations.

Colorful neighborhood street with multi-story houses painted in blue, white, and yellow, some with iron railings on the balconies. Overhead electrical wires crisscross the street. A person is riding a bicycle down the street. The sky is overcast.

Mérida, Venezuela

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

DEAR UNCLE is a personal essay about family dynamics, intergenerational dialogue, and the healing potential of storytelling. Using a first-person narrative, we guide our viewers on a journey to discover the untold stories of my family, the Amelinckx’s, taking them through surprising turns and unexpected revelations that resonate with universal human emotions.

Our project contemplates the role of archival materials and oral history in the construction of shared memories and, to mirror this dynamic, our narrative is a mix of visual media and formats. The tone and style are similar to the documentaries ‘Great Photo, Lovely Life’ (dir: Amanda Mustard, Rachel Beth Anderson, 2023), and ‘Nelly & Nadine’ (dir: Magnus Gertten, 2022).

Lastly, carefully chosen musical interludes enhance an immersive experience during moments of reflection and significance, while the voiceover narration provides an emotional connection, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own experiences and the importance of healing and reconciliation.

If this sounds like a project you’d like to support, let me know and I’d happily send the link to our screener.

Best, Marianne Amelinckx-Labrador.

A woman with red hair and freckles, wearing a wristwatch, sitting at a table with her chin resting on her hand, looking contemplative. There are art supplies and a paper with pencils on the table, and a black metal gate with circular designs behind her.
Director's Bio

PROJECT DETAILS

  • Genre: Documentary

  • Format: DCP

  • Project Status: Picture Lock / Post-Production in process.

  • Country: Venezuela, United States, Mexico

  • Language: Spanish / English

  • Running Time: 85 min.

  • Key words: Family Portrait, Queer Cinema, Personal Documentary

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