The documentary The Pearl of Africa, directed by Jonny von Wallström, narrates the incredible odyssey of Cleopatra Kambugu, a 27-year-old transgender woman from Uganda. She was born biologically male, but never felt whole and happy in the body in which she found herself imprisoned. Against all odds and adversities, she fights with every weapon at her disposal to become the beautiful woman she always dreamed of being.
On this journey, we follow the entire surgical process, the behavioural transformation and the struggle for recognition of a woman who is misunderstood in the society in which she lives
It is a true story that speaks of love, hatred and being transgender in a place where myths and homophobic prejudices still reign, in that small landlocked country in the eastern part of Africa, once called "the pearl of Africa" by Winston Churchill, hence the name of the film. On this journey, we follow the entire surgical process, the behavioural transformation and the struggle for recognition of a woman who is misunderstood in the society in which she lives.
This 90-minute feature film has won international awards and been shown at countless film festivals around the world. It is an important wake-up call on issues such as gender identity, the struggle for equal human rights, freedom, acceptance and respect.
