Austin Documentary Gets Distribution Deal

Call Her Ganda, the new documentary from Austin director PJ Raval, will get a national release this Fall

Good news for Call Her Ganda, the new documentary from Austin's PJ Raval. The week before it makes its Austin debut as the opening night film for AGLIFF 2018, it's been picked up for distribution by Breaking Glass Pictures, and the studio has officially announced it will be pushing it as their Oscar hopeful.

Breaking Glass will release Call Her Ganda on Sept. 21 in New York, Sept. 28 in Los Angeles, Oct. 5 in San Francisco, followed by a national release in the Fall.

Raval's documentary centers on the investigation into the murder of Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude (nicknamed Ganda, or beauty, by her mother Julita "Nanay" Laude). Raval's camera follows Nanay, attorney Virgie Suarez, and transgender journalist Meredith Talusan, as they explore the connections between this crime, and the long history of imperialism and occupation in the region. Raval said, “Especially with our current political climate, I hope viewers find inspiration in witnessing these resilient women taking on the US, a foreign superpower, fighting for their voices to be heard and demanding accountability despite the odds. As Americans, we should all take a note, and support their efforts, while also fighting the oppressive forces in our own backyards."

Breaking Glass CEO Richard Wolff called it "that rare film that comes along once in a generation. This story is tragic, empowering, and exactly what our society needs right now to move the conversation about human rights forward.”

Pick up next week's Austin Chronicle for more on AGLIFF and our exclusive interview with PJ Raval.

Also, follow all our coverage – news, reviews, and previews – from AGLIFF at www.austinchronicle.com/agliff. Now, here's some of the first footage from the film.