Created by veteran Filipinx-American filmmakers and LGBTQ+ activists Desireena Almoradie and Barbara Malaran (who are both central in the film’s story), this doc is the first archival look at a previously uncovered era of 90’s queer activism that started in New York City and rippled across North America. BECAUSE OF YOU provides a wildly entertaining, intimate, and powerful blueprint for creating queer communities while under siege.
BECAUSE OF YOU: A HISTORY OF KILAWIN KOLEKTIBO traces the history of Kilawin Kolektibo, a pioneering collective of Filipinxs who came together in NYC in the mid-90s. Having experienced marginalization in Filipino culture because of their queerness and in mainstream gay culture because of their race, language, and gender, the members of the group sought political empowerment and increased visibility. But above all, they sought to create a space of friendship and safety for those who found themselves suspended between cultures and identities.
Culling from a treasure trove of over a quarter century’s worth of historic documentation that includes footage, photographs, interviews and ephemera, the film tells the inspiring and joyous story of members as they found each other, fell in love, and became each other’s lifeblood amidst a society that rejected them. From marching, partying, and protesting, to its oftentimes incestuous sexual politics, the film serves as an exhilarating memorial to the rebellion and nostalgia of the nineties.
BECAUSE OF YOU is more important than ever before, as a cultural and historical blueprint for LGBTQ+ activism in today’s current political climate. It vitally highlights how friendship, resilience, and cultural pride not only shape personal narratives but also serve as acts of resistance against societal challenges.
Said filmmakers Almoradie and Malaran, "Documenting our stories is incredibly important, especially when our platforms for expression are vulnerable. By sharing our experiences and identities, we create a vital record of our histories that can withstand erasure. This preservation not only honors our unique narratives but also provides future generations with the understanding and context of their communities' struggles and triumphs."
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