Third World Newsreel is proud distributor of In My Genes, a documentary film by Lupita Nyong'o, winner of the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, the Essence Magazine Best Breakthrough Performance Award and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her performance in 12 Years a Slave.
Interviews with seven other individuals inter-cut Agnes' narrative
to share their unique experiences of living with albinism. They ponder
on questions about the effects of their condition on aspects of their
childhood, adolescence, sexuality, race, and dreams.
In My Genes presents an intimate introduction to albinism, and asks us to consider how it feels to be a member of one of the most hyper-visible and yet invisible groups of people in a predominantly black society. It is a film on disability, minority discrimination, identity, issues of representation, confidence and perception of the other.
In My Genes presents an intimate introduction to albinism, and asks us to consider how it feels to be a member of one of the most hyper-visible and yet invisible groups of people in a predominantly black society. It is a film on disability, minority discrimination, identity, issues of representation, confidence and perception of the other.
Reviews
"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. A passionate rebuttal of prejudice and discrimination."
- LaRoi Lawton, Educational Media Reviews Online (EMRO)
"A candid exposé of what it means to live with albinism in Africa, the direct essence of our being."
- Isaac Mwaura, Albinism Society of Kenya
"With her documentary, Lupita Nyong'o tells us about ourselves.
About our ability to stigmatize and exclude. Our inability to accept
difference. Through CK, Mwaura, Alex and the others- all of whom have
faced the challenge of being born with albinism- but mostly through
Agnes, Lupita helps us to see life from the perspective of a segment of
our society that is highly visible, yet totally invisible in all areas
of life. It leaves us with a sense of shame that we can so sorely lack
understanding, but it also leaves us with a sense of pride that despite
all odds, one can, like Agnes, triumph. It is a must see for all who
want to learn, to understand."
- Mumbi Ngugi, Albinism Foundation of East Africa
"...A salutary rebuke to prejudice, in all its forms... In My Genes
therefore becomes an important, challenging and, above all, necessary
film. Ms. Nyong'o deserves praise for the conversation her debut film
invites us to have with ourselves after we have seen it and taken it all
in. The dedication is to "different people." Lest we forget: we are all
different but the same, as human beings."
- Mwalimu John Sibi-Okumu, Kenyan writer, actor and television presenter
Awards
Best Documentary, Five College Film Festival, Northampton, 2008
Souvenir Selection, Africala Film Festival, Mexico City, 2008
Screenings
New York African Film Festival, 2009
Zanzibar International Film Festival, 2008
New Face of Africa Series, Salt Lake City Film Center, 2008
Re-Imagine Kenya, New York, 2008
Kenya International Film Festival, Nairobi, 2007
Lupita Nyong'o | 2009 | 78 min
Lupita Nyong'o | 2009 | 78 min
2011 | 60 min | DVD with Digital File $225
K-12, Public Libraries & Special Groups $59.95
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