THE PEARL OF AFRICA (Jonny Van Wallström, Sweden). 74 minutes. Rating: NNN
The Pearl Of Africa explores the legacy of Uganda’s homophobic laws with a portrait of Cleopatra Kambugu, a trans woman fighting for the rights that are legally denied her.
Jonny Van Wallström follows Cleo as she’s forced to leave Kampala for Kenya once she’s outed by the Ugandan media, tracking her path to gender reassignment surgery and the strain of their exile on her steadfast partner Nelson.
A number of Van Wallström’s stylistic choices are questionable, but Cleo and Nelson are such compelling subjects – and Cleo’s story so achingly human – that you’ll be willing to look past them.
April 30, 9:30 pm, TIFF 2 May 1, 11:30 am, TIFF 3 May 8, 3 pm, TIFF 4