Tumekuwepo, a powerful theme from the 15th edition of the Out Film Festival, meaning, We’ve been here, rang true and dominant on its first day with a collection of four films from different parts of the world that explored queer stories spanning different time periods.
From 1998 to 2025, the films lay bare both the growth and gaps that need to be bridged systematically and socially, so take a ride with me in the course of four days as we dissect different films in the most vulnerable and empathetic parts of ourselves.
Shall we meet tonight Nigeria, 2025
A young woman (Adaora) is given out for an arranged marriage to an aristocratic benefactor but when she discovers her rousing affection for a townswoman (Susan), she becomes torn between her and the arranged marriage.
Out of the bat, this film had an impressive African pull with gorgeous costumes and sets that made one feel as if witnessing the events beyond the screen. Performances from Goodness Emmanuel (Adaora) and Uzoamaka Onuoha (Townswoman ‘Susan’) propelled its themes through subtle expressions of romance, every micro expression felt induced tingles.
The ending wasn’t as I expected, in fact I don’t know what I expected but I’ll tell you what my first thought was; “this wasn’t an ending”, but then after a short conversation with an audience member, I got to understand that this wasn’t an all fiction narrative, it is deeply rooted in realism. It tapped into the rejection of coming out and the unfamiliarity from those close and society at large aside from acceptance. Most strongly, it shone a spotlight on the vulnerability of indecision as the main character shows up to the townswoman with a ring on her finger and with just a descending smile, you’re left contemplating and theorising.
Velipādu 2025, India
Johnny, a seminarian in Kerala prepares for priesthood. He is forced to navigate the friction between his sexuality and the expectations placed on him by his faith and society.
Velipādu excelled in the psychological and emotional battles faced by Johnny compared to its technical aspects and reliance on aesthetics in an attempt to accelerate the two. A queer story from India sure was a highlight.
Slut Club 2025, South Africa
A deliciously daring documentary short film chronicling Ms T’s Slut Club, a pole dancing show for women and the LGBTQIA+ community.
My favourite of the lot, Slut Club broadened its borders not only covering aspects of the LGBTQIA+ community, but also sex work, ushering in women in the industry and covering their milestones and setbacks in an honest way.
The rawest in the collection in my opinion.
Woubi Chéri 1998, Ivory Coast/France
Woubi Chéri is a 1998 French/Ivorian documentary that shows a few days in the life of various members of the queer community in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
This intimate and playful documentary dives deep into the day today life at the time of the Woubis, feminine gay men, and Yossis, masculine bisexual men in Abidjan.
Unfiltered would be an understatement, daring is more like it, as the individual stories covered strip apart aspects of ‘decency’ and offer not only to educate but taps into empathy upon them and those against them. This is best portrayed by a party arranged for all to not only have a good time but also an invitation to enforce understanding.
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