Born This Way

The African nation of Cameroon receives rare cinematic attention in this documentary from Shaun Kadlec and Deb Tullmann that offers a harsh look at the challenges faced by the nation's gay and lesbian community. LGBT members can be jailed on the mere suspicion of being gay, and the threat of violence is constant. One young man here is forced to move out of his neighborhood after receiving anonymous letters promising death, while prominent civil rights lawyer Alice Nkom goes to court to defend a lesbian couple on trial for “homosexuality and witchcraft.” Cameroon's LGBT population is not entirely underground—the film visits The Access Center, a safe haven for gays and lesbians, and there is a stop at a club frequented by LGBT members (although most of the people on camera have their faces blurred to avoid being identified). One of the most striking scenes involves a lesbian pair who comfort each other in candle-illuminated silhouette as one woman details her experience in surviving a brutal assault. Homophobia is not unique to Cameroon, of course--the African continent at large is notorious for its visceral hostility to the LGBT world—but this country holds the ugly distinction of sending more people to prison for being gay or lesbian. Offering a disturbing and harrowing look at institutionalized intolerance, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)