The new feature from Oscar-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams (Music by Prudence) has been slated for theatrical release in NYC on October 11, 2013. God Loves Uganda, which debuted at Sundance this year, will subsequently expand wider in the U.S. and Canada through early next year via distributor Variance Films.
The documentary is about the influence of the American Christian Right on Uganda’s anti-homosexuality laws and follows leaders from the U.S. and Africa preaching this horrible intolerance in the name of the Bible. The human rights issue concerning Uganda’s severe criminalization of homosexuality was already seen in this year’s Call Me Kuchu, but this film takes another approach.
Both docs seem ripe for Oscar contention for this year, and a statement from the head of Variance points to how strongly he feels about getting eyes on God Loves Ugands, a plan which would indeed be helped by awards. Not that the awards are that important on their own. See that statement here:
Even as our LGBTI brothers and sisters rack up hard-fought victories here at home, something scary is happening overseas. I believe there is a direct connection between the far-right elements of the religious community in America and the passage of dangerous anti-gay legislation in places like Uganda and Russia… and I believe Roger’s film expertly connects the dots between the two. I think this is one of the most important films we’ve ever released, and my hope is that GOD LOVES UGANDA will not only inspire discussion in the theater lobby, but lead to direct action when people get home.
