Watch Out and Around

Out and Around is a moving documentary that was released in 2015. The movie features two women, Jennifer Chang and Lisa Dazols, as they travel the world for a year to explore how LGBTQ rights are progressing in different countries. Throughout the film, they interview various activists, community leaders, and everyday citizens to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges that LGBTQ individuals face in different parts of the world.

The documentary begins with Jennifer and Lisa in San Francisco, where they live. They discuss their motivations for embarking on this journey, with Jennifer noting that she wants to meet other LGBTQ people around the world and understand the different struggles they face. Lisa, who has previously traveled to Asia and is more experienced than Jennifer, wants to learn more about how LGBTQ people in other countries deal with issues like marriage, adoption, and discrimination.

As they travel around the world, they visit places like Japan, India, South Africa, and Argentina. In each country, they meet with LGBTQ individuals and organizations to learn about the specific challenges they face. For example, in Japan, they attend a pride parade in Tokyo and meet with members of a transgender organization. The Japanese individuals they meet with discuss how they are often marginalized in society and how they work to defend their rights.

In India, Jennifer and Lisa visit Mumbai and Delhi, where they meet with members of the Humsafar Trust, an LGBTQ organization. They also attend a meet-up of the Kerala-based organization Sweekar, which is composed of transgender people. In India, they learn about the challenges that LGBTQ people face due to the country's colonial-era laws, which criminalize same-sex activity.

In South Africa, they visit the Luleki Sizwe project, which works to combat hate crimes against LGBTQ individuals. They also meet with leaders of the Cape Town Pride Parade and attend a drag show. They learn about the strides that South Africa has made in advancing LGBTQ rights, including being the first African country to legalize same-sex marriage.

Throughout their travels, Jennifer and Lisa also share some personal moments with the audience. Jennifer discloses that her parents, who are immigrants from Taiwan, are not supportive of her sexual orientation. Lisa shares that her father passed away when she was young, and she feels that his death was related to the pressures placed on him as a closeted gay man.

The film concludes with Jennifer and Lisa back in San Francisco, reflecting on their journey. They discuss how, despite the different challenges faced by LGBTQ people around the world, there are many commonalities as well. They also note that the fight for LGBTQ rights is ongoing, and there is still much work to be done in many parts of the world.

Overall, Out and Around is a powerful documentary that sheds light on the experiences of LGBTQ individuals in different parts of the world. The film is well-crafted, with beautiful visuals and poignant interviews. Jennifer and Lisa make for engaging protagonists, and their personal experiences add an emotional depth to the documentary. The film is recommended for anyone interested in LGBTQ issues, social justice, or travel.

Out and Around is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.