Being BeBe

It is 2009, and Marshall Ngwa aka BeBe Zahara Benet wins the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. It seems that the young and talented artist of Cameroon origins is on his path to showbusiness stardom and that another American fairy-tale about a successful immigrant whose family overcomes hardships to fulfil his dreams is about to come true. But it’s not as simple as it might seem. It’s hard for Marshall to break through in the highly competitive entertainment industry, as he refuses to give up his authenticity and conform to the recommended labels. And it’s just as hard for him to speak openly about his job and identity with his family. In Marshall’s home country, where a majority of his relatives still live, homosexuality is still punishable by law. Being BeBe follows Marshall’s life and career over a fifteen-year period and tells an intimate and touching tale of determined desire to succeed and stay true to oneself. (Mezipatra Queer Film Festival)