Sakia Gunn, Dostana, Toul Oumry paint the spectrum next week

After an opening which included a diverse audience including Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand, the SASOD film festival continues its second week at the Sidewalk Café, with a documentary from the USA, a comedy from India and a drama feature based in Egypt.

On Monday, the film Dreams Deferred: the Sakia Gunn Story documents the tragedy and horror of the little known story of Sakia Gunn, a 15-year-old student who was fatally stabbed in a gay hate crime in Newark, New Jersey in the USA. Sakia dressed in masculine attire but did not necessarily identify as either lesbian or female-to-male transgender. Sakia was stabbed while waiting at the bus stop, after rejecting violent advances from young men. The lack of investigation into her murder speaks to discrimination on the grounds of race and gender identity.

On Tuesday, in the film Dostana from India Abhikshek Bachan and John Abraham play Kunal and Sameer, two straight guys who pretend to be a gay couple to secure an posh Miami apartment. But both of them fall for their gorgeous roommate Neha. Hilarity ensues as they strive to convince one and all they are gay!

On Wednesday, the film Toul Oumry tells the story of Rami, for whom all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds, as long as he keeps to himself. But when his longtime lover leaves him to marry a woman and his best friends drift away, he comes face to face with the harsh realities of life as a gay man in Egypt.

All films start at 7 pm and admission is free.