Reluctantly Queer
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| Reluctantly Queer | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Akosua Adoma Owusu |
| Produced by | Obibini Pictures |
| Written by | Kwame Edwin Otu |
| Starring | Kwame Edwin Otu |
Release date | 2016 |
| Country | Ghana; UK |
| Language | English |
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Reluctantly Queer is a short film directed by Akosua Adoma Owusu.[1] The eight-minute epistolary film tells the story of a young Ghanaian man who struggles to reconcile his love for his mother and his same-sex desires. The film explores the complexity that many queer individuals face in owning and claiming their sexuality amidst other relationships that do not always agree with their sexual identity.
The film was written by and stars Kwame Edwin Otu. It was released in 2016 with support from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.[2]
Synopsis[edit]
We are introduced to a young man who has emigrated to the USA from Ghana and is grappling with this new country. Through voiceover, he reads a letter that he is writing to his mother about his time in the USA using third person voice. Being thoughtful and delicate with his words he begins to describe the love that he has for his mother, but also the romantic and sexual experiences he has had with others while living in the USA. He does not use the word queer, but imagery is shown of him lying in bed with multiple people including men which indicates his experiences and the choice of words in his letter. He elaborates that even though he once could talk about everything with his mother, he never mentioned “this self” to her but is now trying to open up. Inside, he is fearful of what she might say and if she would still love “this self” the same way or if everything would change. He misses home (specifically his mother) but he also understands that he cannot return to Ghana because he will not be able to be queer there as homosexuality is criminalised.
Reluctantly Queer shows how queer individuals are forced to compartmentalize parts of themselves due to societal pressure and their upbringing until they can no longer. It also shows how living in a different context influences how an individual expresses their sexual identity.
Cast[edit]
Kwame Edwin Otu as the young Ghanaian man
Awards[edit]
The film won the ‘Best International Short’ award at the Baltimore International Black Film Festival in 2016. At the 2016 Berlin International Film Festival, the film was nominated for ‘Best Short Film’ and ‘Teddy Best Short Film.’
References[edit]
- ↑ "Films". Akosua Adoma Owusu. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ↑ "Akosua Adoma Owusu". John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
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