Someone Like Me (2021) User Reviews

Good documentary

[monishkasingh-68280 · 8/10 · 13 January 2023]

The movie provided great representation and made the viewpoints and experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals more widely known. The film depicts the diversity of a community and the distinctive difficulties that various people and groups encounter. In Drake's case, he opened up about leaving home at the age of fourteen and surviving on his own because he wasn't socially accepted. It is like this in many countries; for instance, many people are brutally killed because of their sexuality in Iran. I personally really liked how such organizations have developed that help 2SLGBTQIA+ people all over the world.

As a fellow immigrant, I completely understood how Drake was feeling. The ongoing concerns he had about whether he would be able to find stability or pursue his passions, as well as the fact that he had no other options because he wasn't in communication with his family, has both positives and cons. He's in Canada, free to be himself, but he also has no family to rely on, which is so stressful. Many people must know how challenging it is to establish oneself independently in foreign countries.

It was terrific to see such an unfiltered movie. It was incredible how they depicted his struggle as a gay POC and an immigrant who started at the bottom.

The film also addressed misconceptions. For instance, many people don't view 2SLGBTQIA+ couples as legitimate relationships, and Kay and Em did a fantastic job demonstrating their connection and how it is identical to a man and a woman's.

Because of the message this movie was trying to get through and its effect on many lives, I give it a solid four stars. It was fantastic to see Drake share his food, culture and story with his hosts; it demonstrated diversity at its best and communicated that we can all learn from one another and overall gives us an insight into living in a world that is unaccepting of you and the emotions and physical challenges faced.

An Interesting Insight

[purklemarkers · 6/10 · 12 July 2023]

Someone Like Me, a documentary directed by Sean Horlor and Steve J. Adams, follows 11 members of Vancouver's Rainbow Refugee Community Organization. These 11 strangers have come together to form "the circle", a support group for an incoming gay refugee. Drake, a 22 year-old gay man who is seeking asylum in Canada after facing persecution in Uganda, is selected as the refugee the group will help resettle in Vancouver.

Uganda is particularly hostile towards gay people; same-sex sexual activity and relationships are illegal and punishable with life imprisonment, and there is the potential to receive the death penalty for anyone convicted of homosexuality. Homosexuality is so demonized in Uganda that members face discrimination from their own communities and family. Canada by comparison is a very welcoming country for those who identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. In Canada, gay marriage is legal, conversion therapy is illegal, and sexual orientation is a protected class in the Canadian Human Rights Act.

This documentary highlights many 2SLGBTQIA+ perspectives. The two I found most poignant were the different viewpoints shared by those in the circle. I was particularly affected by how some felt a responsibility to help others facing 2SLGBTQIA+ discrimination based on their privileged experience in Canada, others fleeing countries due to violence and threats they faced. The second view was Drake sharing how he felt insecure about his sexuality in Uganda but never about his race, and how when he came to Canada things switched and he became insecure about his race (after facing racism for the first time) but was no longer insecure about his sexuality. Sharing of these perspectives showcases how they each have a different view of the same issues based on their individual experiences.

Drake's retelling of how he left his father's home in Uganda at 14 was very impactful, as well as his sharing of his local saying "Whatever grows bent, if you try to straighten it, it just breaks." Most impactful for me was the videos and photos of the violence faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ members at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Northern Kenya. Many documentaries avoid showing the reality of violence being faced, while this film showed videos and graphic photos that accurately portray the violence.

I rate this film three stars out of five. I think the film showed an intriguing view into the Rainbow Refugee Organization and "the circle". I think we only get a surface view into Drake and his experiences with discrimination in Uganda and Canada. I hoped we could hear more of his experiences in Uganda and how it paralleled and contrasted with his experiences in Canada, especially how he felt after experiencing racism for the first time and how it affected him as he settled into Canada.

Someone Like Me: a Powerful Documentary

[moshfeghfan14 · 8/10 · 21 August 2022]

Directed by Sean Horlor and Steve J. Adams, Someone Like Me follows eleven strangers in Vancouver coming together to support a gay refugee from Uganda, wherein same-sex sexual activity and same-sex marriages are punishable with a potential penalty of life imprisonment (Al Jazeera, Uganda MPs Approve Anti-gay Law.) In Canada, same-sex marriages are permitted, conversion treatment is prohibited, and name and sex designation changes in official documents are also permitted (CBC News, TIMELINE: Same-sex rights in Canada.) The documentary gives an insight into the life of Drake, a 22-year-old gay man from Uganda seeking asylum in Canada. Albeit I did not flee my home country due to persecution, I have a challenging time settling in this country as a queer person and seeing this experience in a mainstream documentary makes me feel seen. It is not often that we see films about queer immigrants in Canada and this documentary is one step further to accurate representation of 2SLGBTQIA+ immigrants in the media.

One scene that was impactful to me was when Drake revealed he experienced racism in Canada. It made me ponder about intersectionality in different countries- how he would not experience racism in Uganda, but now he does in Canada. How he experienced homophobia in Uganda, but not as much in Canada. Another part that was equally as impactful when Kay had top surgery. Revealing parts of the sponsors' private lives made this documentary feel much more intimate and authentic. Furthermore, an important piece of information that sticks with me is how "from every hundred persons requesting help, only one is being helped" (14:39). It is heartbreaking to consider how many people are being persecuted in their native countries and how only a small number can be helped. I give this film 4/5 stars (80%) as it gives an interesting insight into the people involved in this project, how the project works, and seeing them work and trying to help refugees over the course of a year. It also brings awareness to people about the challenges 2SLGBTQIA+ immigrants face when trying to settle in this country. Lastly, it leaves the audience with one question: what can we do to support 2SLGBTQ+ immigrants?

Feedback about someone like me

[timetouse · 10/10 · 11 September 2023]

Over the years, Canada has made great strides in promoting 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. In 2005, Canada became one of the first countries to legalised same-sex marriage. Canada recognised and protects the rights of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals in areas such as employment, health care, and education. But challenges and discrimination remain, especially for trans and Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ people. While Canada's legal framework and public attitudes toward 2SLGBTQ+ rights are generally considered progressive, Canada also faces issues such as conversion therapy and discrimination. Engaging in 2SLGBTQIA+ rights abroad shows that positive change is possible and encourages other countries to follow suit. However, the situation varies around the world; while some countries have developed more inclusive policies, others criminalised same-sex relationships and discriminate against 2SLGBTQ+ people. People like me can promote empathy and understanding by highlighting the progress Canada has made and the challenges facing 2SLGBTQ+ people around the world. Drake's story seem give a profoundly individual viewpoint on the life-or-death stakes that numerous 2SLGBTQ+ outcasts confront when looking for security overseas. I have learned more about The Importance of Asylum , a film that highlights the urgent need for countries like Canada to provide asylum to 2SLGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution. It can shed light on existential issues and the responsibility of States to protect those in need. The film also highlight the resilience and friendships of Vancouver's queer community, showing how 2SLGBTQ+ people come together to support each other and create safe spaces. I think the various interactions that unfold between Drake and Vancouver's queer community highlight the triumph of intuition and the human spirit over obstacles. Warm and touching scenes that inspire compassion and understanding and are particularly effective and impactful. For example, Drake attending community gatherings, support group meeting and pride parades shows the opportunity given for people to share their experiences and raise awareness for us. I will definitely give a ten star for this film. Despite all of the challenges and setbacks that Drake face through discrimination, struggle and not accepted by the community before , he never give up and tries to share his own experiences in his life and in the Vancouver queer community. It also showcase the unique experience which I've learned a lot more about how to create a supportive environment for everyone. I can also get to know more about resilience, community, and the pursuit of personal freedom for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals who seek asylum in more accepting countries.

Great documentary!

[beatrizvbove · 8/10 · 2 May 2023]

What a great movie! As a Canadian, this was a very eye-opening experience. Canada is a very accepting country (in terms of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals). I think this has to do with us being a first-world country, as well we are the only country to have legislation which allows us to reach out to LGBT+ members specifically.

There is a broad spectrum of how different countries deal with 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. In the movie's case, the main focus is on Uganda, a country famously known for its intolerance towards people who differ from the "norm."

It's bewildering to think about how two countries -in the same era- can treat their population so differently.

I love how this movie showcased many different 2SLGBTQIA+ perspectives and experiences, the major one being Drake, a gay refugee from Uganda; he portrays not only the trauma - but the displacement immigrants feel.

I am an immigrant, but my family moved here willingly and from a much better country (Brazil) - I can't imagine how a refugee must feel, forced out of a country like that.

The whole movie was very tastefully written and executed. The most shocking part was the videos of Uganda and the treatment of 2SLGBTQIA+ members.

What made it so impactful was that before, the abuse was "abstract" with it only being talked about - to suddenly see it (in such a graphic video) was very shocking.

I have to give it an 8/10, overall, the movie was great, but I think they should have strived to show more of Uganda and Drake - not so much of the circle members.