Watch Sidney & Friends

Sidney & Friends is a documentary film released in 2018, directed by British filmmaker Tristan Aitchison. The movie tells the story of the LGBTQ community in Kenya, as seen through the eyes of a young transgender woman named Sidney. The documentary follows Sidney and her group of friends, who are also transgender or intersex individuals, as they navigate their lives in Nairobi, Kenya. The film provides an intimate look at the challenges and obstacles that are faced by these individuals, as well as the acceptance and love they find within their community.

It is evident that the Kenyan society is highly conservative, and being LGBTQ is still regarded as taboo or even illegal. The film starts by Sidney, who narrates her life experiences, growing up in a small village near Lake Victoria. She describes her first interaction with the LGBTQ community and her journey as a transgender woman.

We then get to meet some of her closest friends, including a young drag queen who is still in school and has dreams of becoming a famous performer, and a gay man who has faced rejection and violent attacks from his family and community.

As the film progresses, we get to know each of these individuals on a personal level, learning about their struggles, hopes, and dreams. Despite facing significant challenges due to their sexuality, the group continues to be resilient and strive for self-expression and acceptance.

The documentary shows how the LGBTQ community in Kenya has to operate under the radar, meeting in secret and finding creative ways to express themselves in a society that is mostly intolerant. The group often faces discrimination and violence, both from the general public and the police, who are supposed to protect them.

One of the most significant themes explored in the documentary is the intersectionality of identity and the struggles that come with it. We learn about the added burden and discrimination faced by individuals who are both LGBTQ and intersex, with one of Sidney's friends describing their experience of having to undergo surgery to conform to societal norms as a child.

Despite the documentary focusing on the struggles of the LGBTQ community in Kenya, there are moments of joy and camaraderie depicted throughout the film. We get to see the friendships and love that exist within the community, with the group often gathering together for parties, performances, and support.

The cinematography and editing of the film are both outstanding, with Aitchison using a fly-on-the-wall style to capture intimate and raw moments between the characters. The documentary's soundtrack is also exceptional, featuring music from LGBTQ artists and performers from around the world.

Overall, Sidney & Friends is a powerful and moving documentary that sheds light on an often overlooked community. While the film can be difficult to watch due to the discrimination and violence depicted, it is also a source of hope and inspiration as we see the strength and resilience of the LGBTQ community in the face of adversity.

Sidney & Friends is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.7.