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 Filmed vérité style over 5 years, I am Samuel is a story about love, family and acceptance - a portrait of a Kenyan man torn between balancing duty to his family with his dreams for his future.
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SYNOPSIS

Samuel grew up in the Kenyan countryside, where tradition is valued above all else. He is close to his mother but his father, a local pastor, doesn’t understand why he isn’t married yet. After moving to Kenya's capital in search of work and a new life, Samuel falls in love with Alex and finds community and belonging. Their love thrives despite the fact that Kenyan laws criminalize anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+. Despite threats of violence and rejection, Samuel and Alex  move between their co-existing worlds, hoping to win acceptance in both.
Synopsis

REVIEWS

“Intimate and moving”

LA Sentinel

Supported By:

Produced by:

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Post production by:

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Supported by:

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We would like to know your thoughts about IamSamuel

If you could invite someone to watch the movie, would you invite:

NEWS

I am Samuel banned in Kenya, launches across Africa on Afridocs on 14th October 2021. Please see coverage below.

Banning of I am Samuel is a crying Shame

The Star

Kenya censors another gay themed film, I am Samuel

HRW

Kenya film board bans gay documentary calling it an affront

Reuters

I am Samuel: Inside the powerful gay documentary film now banned in Kenya

Attitude

Kenya bans LGBTQ documentary for promoting same sex marriage

Guardian

Kenya bans LGBTQ documentary, I am Samuel for promoting same sex...

NME

Kenya bans documentary for portraying same sex relationship

QZ

contact

OUR PAST Q&As

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I am Samuel film team at Human Rights watch Film Festival New York​

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