CALL HER GANDA

Best Documentary Feature, 2018 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
Official Selection, 2018 Tribeca Film Festival

“Jennifer was her nickname, but for me it’s Ganda,” recalls Jennifer’s mother, evoking the word for beauty.

Part courtroom drama, investigative journalism, and postcolonial case study, CALL HER GANDA is the evocative story of Jennifer Laude, a Filipina transgender woman who was killed in a hotel room by a US Marine. Transgender journalist Meredith Talusan sets out to piece together what happened that night in a bar on October 11th, 2014 through interviews with Laude’s family, including her mother, fiancé, and close friends. Talusan is joined by activist attorney Virgie Suarez in what seems to be a neverending court case and countless attempts to bring Laude’s murderer to justice, a journey which ultimately triggers media firestorms and large scale protests.

A story about the stronghold of US imperial rule on the Philippines, and the inspiring persistence of a few to fight injustice in the face of deep prejudice, director PJ Raval’s heartbreaking and inspiring documentary not only exposes the worst in humanity, but also serves as a call for compassion.

– Aleya Zenieris

Co-Presented by: UCSD Ethnic Studies, UniPro San Diego, Anakbayan San Diego, Miramar College Filipino Studies /LGBTQ Alliance, Mana Program at MiraCosta College

Preceded By

FUCK ME OR DESTROY ME

Directed by Aisha Mirza

Withering between genres and sensibilities in a fur strut swag, the ultimate “screw off” anthem to society’s ridiculous beauty standards starring Harnaam Kaur of internet body positivity fame.