I Am Samuel is a vérité-style documentary that offers an unflinching yet tender portrait of love, resilience, and identity in contemporary Kenya. Filmed over five years by director Peter Murimi, it follows Samuel, a young man navigating the tensions between his duty to family and his hopes for a future with his partner.
The film begins with a powerful juxtaposition: the tenderness of a date between Samuel and his boyfriend Alex set against harrowing footage of a violent attack on one of Murimi’s friends. This opening sets the tone for a documentary that balances intimacy with the stark realities of a society where same-sex relationships are often met with hostility and legal risk.
At its core, the film captures the quiet, everyday beauty of queer love. Samuel and Alex’s connection—marked by laughter, affection, and shared dreams—becomes a quiet act of defiance in a world that too often denies their humanity. Their story is not framed as spectacle, but as a moving testament to love’s resilience in the face of adversity.
Murimi’s patient filmmaking approach, built on years of trust, allows the camera to capture moments of vulnerability and courage. The vérité style strips away artifice, giving audiences an unmediated window into Samuel’s life and the emotional complexities of balancing tradition, faith, and personal freedom.
I Am Samuel is more than a personal story—it is also a political one. By bearing witness to the realities of queer existence in Kenya, the film affirms both the risks and the joys of living authentically. It is a courageous, deeply human work that celebrates resilience while confronting the violence and prejudice that LGBTQ+ people continue to face.
More Liverpool Listings MORE
They Say It’s Our Birthday: Baked a la Ska
Today marks a major milestone — it’s the tenth birthday of the Music Room! And how better to…
Diana Reigns Supreme – The Ultimate Live Experience
Get ready to be transported to the Motown era with our Diana Ross Tribute Show! This high-energy performance…
LGBTQ Films For Black History Month
I Am Samuel is a vérité-style documentary that offers an unflinching yet tender portrait of love, resilience, and…
The Stylistics
Get ready for an evening of smooth harmonies, timeless hits, and pure soul, as The Stylistics return to…
Mama Afrika
Zimbabwean-born singer, musician and storyteller Anna Mudeka brings to life the extraordinary journey of Miriam Makeba, the South…
Messiah
Hallelujah indeed! Handel’s Messiah is far more than just an oratorio – it’s a masterpiece that has become…