The joyous sound of Bob Marley’s “One Love” is a theme song of Caribbean tourism—but the reality of Jamaica’s homophobic culture is more accurately represented by dancehall anthems of hate, such as Buju Banton’s “Boom Bye Bye.” In fact, these attitudes are widely and zealously celebrated—and demonstrated through the country’s violent actions and archaic laws.

The documentary The Abominable Crime follows Simone, a lesbian mother, and Maurice, a gay human rights activist, as they navigate the conflict of loving their homeland and wanting to stay alive. Simone is seeking asylum after getting shot in front of her daughter and knows her time is limited. Maurice is used to living his life as an LGBT/HIV activist, but he is put in more danger once his marriage to a Canadian man is publicized. His husband wants them to stay in Canada, but Maurice feels a sense of duty to the cause and his country.

Filled with interviews with Jamaican students, government officials, and clergymen, all of whom preach hate under the guise of “Christian principles,” this film is a critical reminder that, for all of the battles fought in the U.S. over LGBT rights, they are a global issue, and some of our neighboring sisters and brothers have it much worse. Filmmaker Micah Fink crafts a poignant story of hope and a tribute to the many who courageously fight for change every day.

— ANGELIQUE SMITH

This film contains graphic depictions of homophobic violence.

In with English subtitles.

AT&T Audience Award Text Voting Code: D300

Co-presented by:

Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC)