Call Her Ganda

PJ Raval’s documentary details the murder of Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman who was killed in 2014 by a U.S. Marine named Joseph Scott Pemberton who was stationed in the Philippines. Laude’s death unleashed a wave of controversy—both in the Philippines and the U.S.—regarding homophobia and violent behavior by U.S. military personnel in the Pacific Rim. According to Pemberton’s account, he hired Laude as a sex worker and took her to a motel room, where the discovery of her transgender status revolted him to the point of homicide. Laude was found dead with her head in a toilet and Pemberton was quickly arrested afterwards, but the case raised old concerns over whether Pemberton would be subject to Philippines law or would be tried by a U.S. military tribunal. "Ganda," which is Tagalog for "beauty," was the nickname bestowed by Laude’s mother Julita, who emerged as a human rights activist in the aftermath of Laude’s death. The film also shines a spotlight on transgender journalist Meredith Talusan, whose articles on Laude received prominent attention on both sides of the Pacific. A compelling documentary about a tragic death with larger repercussions, this is highly recommended. (P. Hall)