Even though it’s not too terribly difficult to find LGBT cinema, it can get harder as you try to find non-white cinema that’s well-made and enjoyable. So I did a bit of digging and found this film festival in South Africa! It’s taking place right now, until the 30th of this month. So if you happen to be in South Africa, or will be in the near future, be sure to stop by!
So, I decided to see if they had anything specifically ethnic, since some of the film submissions had white leads. The ones I’m going to list are from their August 2011 submissions. A lot of them seem really interesting, so be sure to check them out – if you can!
1. Getting Out
It’s an English language documentary, directed by Alexander Chapman (with Chris Nolan & Daniel Nuemann – and first documentary together) and it chronicles the tales of five gay Africans as they “as they try to get out -– literally and figuratively, away from homegrown prejudice, brutality and their own sense of self-doubt.” There’s also a trailer that you can check out on that page.
2. Home for the Golden Gays
This documentary is in Tagalog with English subtitles, directed by Nola Grace Gaardmand, and follows the story of Semmy Baisa, who lives in the slums of Manila. Semmy has been coming out slowly over the years, and is in search of a legendary place where elderly gay men live out the rest of their days. Also, a trailer on this page.
3. Waited For
Another English language documentary, directed by Nerina Penzhorn, Waited For focuses on the lives of three couples looking to adopt in South Africa, which despite it’s advanced constitution, lesbians still rank at the bottom of the adoption list. This has a trailer as well.
