Call Me Kuchu

Watching "Call Me Kuchu" pinballs the viewer from laughter to anger, from aching sadness to tremulous hope. Kuchu is the Ugandan colloquialism for queer. Like that word's reclamation as a rallying point by recent generations of western world LGBT activists, the incredibly brave individuals featured in Katherine Fairfax Wright and Malika Zoukali-Worrall's compelling documentary are literally risking - sometimes losing - their lives to do the same.

If the current focus on the oppression of LGBT people in modern Russia seems faraway to concern to some, the conditions for our gay and lesbian brothers and sister in Africa are surely unimaginable. For that reason alone, "Call Me Kuchu" should be required viewing.

The film is unflinching in telling the stories of the late David Kato and others in stark, compelling, unsentimental terms. You are invited to feel their pain, frustration, hope and desperation if you dare open yourself to it.

You are also invited to witness the unvarnished loathsomeness of people like Lou Engle, who stains the very idea of Christianity with his warped and hateful worldview; or Giles Muhame, the youthful publisher of Uganda's "Rolling Stone" (not the music publication) who laughs happily at the lives ruined by what he prints in his tabloid.

Released only on DVD and streaming video, "Call Me Kuchu" is compelling viewing and the DVD adds five engaging bonus scenes including beautiful lesbian activist Naome's search for asylum in Sweden, and charming straight ally Anglican Bishop Christopher Senyonjo's visit to San Francisco Pride as a Global Grand Marshal.

The theatrical trailer is also included and audio is both in stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound.

"Call Me Kuchu"?
DVD
$29.95
callmekuchu.com