In this poetic coming of age drama, Dembe struggles against Ugandan attitudes towards gender and identity.

Interview with Writer/Director Maegan Mann

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

In 2009 Uganda proposed an Anti-Homosexuality Bill. This not only made “aggravated homosexuality” illegal and punishable by death, but also made it illegal to “recognize” or “promote” homosexuality in any way. In 2014, the Bill was passed, and while it was fortunately nullified soon after, Uganda is still considered one of the most homophobic countries in the world. I made this film because I wanted to show what this type of oppression does to an individual through the eyes of a young transwoman named Dembe.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

I live in a country that is more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community than ever before, but we – and the world – still have a long way to go. I hope you watch October because it’s important we normalize trans stories on a global scale. It’s important to bring the spotlight to these stories in hopes of a better understanding of the LGBTQ+ community and a brighter future for us all.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I see so much of myself and the human condition within Dembe’s story. October is about identity, desire, fear, and jealousy as much as it’s about coming out as a transwoman in Uganda. I hope people can see themselves in Dembe too - whether they’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or not.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

Both evolved tremendously throughout the course of production - Dembe’s story is not my own, so I felt it was important for me to continue to learn about the current state of Uganda and listen and speak with Ugandan transwomen throughout the entire filmmaking process. This meant a lot of re-writes and, once the film was shot, many changes happened in the edit to help our story remain truthful. I was also able to speak with Cleopatra Kambugu, from The Pearl of Africa documentary (now streaming on Netflix). She was wonderfully kind in sharing pieces of her own story in order to help give Dembe’s story life.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

So far we’ve received a lot of positive feedback, and I am so so grateful. This film was made by a group of passionate student filmmakers, and it was my first time writing and directing a narrative short film, so we were all just trying our hardest to do what felt right and what we believe in. Our first screening will be at Outfest Los Angeles as part of the Beyond Binaries program, and hopefully more will come in the future!

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I left the ending relatively unclear so many people have said they want more, that they want to know what’s next for Dembe. I think that’s one of the greatest things to hear.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I’m very passionate about this subject. There’s still so much left to be done in the fight for trans rights. The more visibility, the better.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Film festival directors and journalists.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I hope it sparks change, no matter how small. I hope people see Dembe and believe she should be protected, listened to, and valued, and that they reflect that mentality in their own communities.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How are we failing trans women and men at home and worldwide? How can we help?

Would you like to add anything else?

It’s such a crucial time for diverse voices to be heard. Thank you for this platform.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

The cinematographer, Demi Waldron, and I are about to start production on another short character-study film titled Maud. It follows an introspective twenty-something the day she’s diagnosed with cervical cancer. We are lucky to have a great cast lined up, including Christian I. Noble, who played ‘Ojore’ in October. We’re hoping to spread awareness for women’s reproductive health and the clinics that provide these services!

If you’d like to keep up with my work, and the production of Maud, check out my website - www.maeganmann.com

Interview: July 2018

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

October

In this poetic coming of age drama, Dembe struggles against Ugandan attitudes towards gender and identity.

Length: 08:30

Director: Maegan Mann

Producer: James Masino and Joyce Louis-Jean

Writer: Maegan Mann

About the writer, director and producer:

MAEGAN MANN is a passionate storyteller inspired by the human spirit - she strives to tell raw, character-based stories, to help people better understand themselves and the world they live in.

Key cast: Andrel McPherson, Christian I. Noble, Trachel Yvette Green

Looking for: film festival directors and journalists

Instagram: @__mvnn__ AND @hdwaldron

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Outfest Los Angeles – Tuesday, July 17 @ 7:15 PM at DGA 2 & Saturday, July 21 @ 9:00 PM at DGA 2