Call Me Kuchu (Documentary)

This documentary is a really intimate and level-headed look at the homophobia in Uganda, and it gives a voice to both the gay activists on the ground and the people who are out to get them. I’ve had this on my watchlist for ages because I actually spent some time in Uganda back in 2014 right when that law was being passed, so I had some personal history there that made me want to see it up close. I finally just got my hands on it recently. The title refers to "Kuchu," which is the local word they use for homosexuals. What’s wild about this film is that we don't just hear from the brave few activists standing up for their rights; we also see the people on the other side. Their hatred and bigotry honestly feel like some deep-seated pathology, and seeing their methods is a terrifying look at how mob violence actually gets started.

The film is partly built as a portrait of David Kato, who was the first man in Uganda to come out publicly, but it also interviews several other gay men and lesbians. David was incredibly brave and just wouldn't quit, but even though he loved his friends and his farm and throwing a good party, he was also totally terrified of sleeping alone at night. He really became the face of the fight for equality, appearing on TV and speaking in court whenever he had to. We also meet Naome, this really serene and beautiful lesbian who tries to build bridges with the mainstream society, all while knowing that if she gets outed, everything she’s worked for will just vanish. Then there’s Stosh, a trans man in his 20s who shares a gut-wrenching story about being berated by his grandmother after a man saw him messing around with a girl—a situation that led to a "corrective rape." We also get to know Longjones, a super lively LGBT counselor who came out after hiding it for a long time; he celebrates a big legal win by hosting a drag pageant. David basically opened the door, and the rest of them are trying to make sure nobody can shut it. Sadly, David was eventually beaten to death in his own home by someone he had actually been kind to. Since his group had good connections, his murder blew up and became huge news all over the world.

The whole structure of the movie revolves around the legal battle against an anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda. This thing was extreme—it called for the death penalty for gay people who were HIV-positive and prison time for anyone, gay or straight, who didn't snitch on someone they knew was LGBT. The film goes into some pretty scary detail about how these kinds of laws are pushed through by taking advantage of the shaky new democratic systems in post-colonial Africa. Even with all that darkness, there are plenty of uplifting moments where people's individual spirits shine through the persecution, which will definitely make you smile. You really need those bits of joy because the rest of the story is just hard to wrap your head around. It’s brutal to watch crowds of haters crash David’s funeral just to scream at the people mourning him. We also see the scene at the United Nations where countries from all over the world speak out against the bill. Seeing the fearless people in this movie—who have to pack up and move whenever their lives are at risk, yet still show up to face courts, cops, and thugs—really gives heart to anyone still fighting the good fight.

This is a heavy but really important look at the insane courage it takes just to exist in a place that’s trying to wipe you out. It’s a powerful tribute to people who refuse to back down even when the world is screaming at them. (6.5/10)