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Filmed vérité style over 5 years, I am Samuel is a story about love, family and acceptance - a portrait of a Kenyan man torn between balancing duty to his family with his dreams for his future.
![io_laurel_2020_toronto_official-selectio](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/71501a_cdf4b10ec637483bb2a7c3f4ac1059b0~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_216,h_80,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/io_laurel_2020_toronto_official-selectio.png)
![sfiff-2020-Official-Selection-Laurels.pn](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/71501a_baddf1963ca24007a8dd60ae7aacc0ee~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_144,h_104,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/sfiff-2020-Official-Selection-Laurels_pn.png)
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![LFF 2020 LAURELS_OFFICIAL SELECTION_NEG.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/71501a_f8829cc533ca4b46887f0c3711ea2612~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_210,h_116,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/LFF%202020%20LAURELS_OFFICIAL%20SELECTION_NEG_.png)
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SYNOPSIS
Samuel grew up in the Kenyan countryside, where tradition is valued above all else. He is close to his mother but his father, a local pastor, doesn’t understand why he isn’t married yet. After moving to Kenya's capital in search of work and a new life, Samuel falls in love with Alex and finds community and belonging. Their love thrives despite the fact that Kenyan laws criminalize anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+. Despite threats of violence and rejection, Samuel and Alex move between their co-existing worlds, hoping to win acceptance in both.
Synopsis
REVIEWS
![I AM SAMUEL- FLAG- HIGH RES JPG.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/71501a_b952b5ce2eec4847ae062c064b4064c5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_97,h_118,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/71501a_b952b5ce2eec4847ae062c064b4064c5~mv2.jpg)
NEWS
I am Samuel banned in Kenya, launches across Africa on Afridocs on 14th October 2021. Please see coverage below.
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