Being BeBe

Director: Emily Branham
Release Year: 2021

The 2021 documentary "Being BeBe", directed by Emily Branham, offers an intimate and multifaceted look at the life of the legendary BeBe Zahara Benet, the first-ever winner of "RuPaul’s Drag Race". By focusing on both her personal and professional journey, Branham weaves a narrative that is not only a celebration of BeBe’s triumphs but also an exploration of her roots, struggles, and the complexities that define her. With keen insight and authenticity, Branham’s film elevates the drag queen biography genre beyond the usual glossy portrayals of celebrity life, presenting BeBe’s story as a deeply layered, reflective, and heartfelt chronicle.

 

At the core of "Being BeBe" is the long-standing relationship between Branham and BeBe Zahara Benet, whose real name is Marshall Ngwa. Branham’s connection to Ngwa spans over 15 years, and the documentary unfolds as a personal reminiscence, with Branham revisiting old footage she captured of Ngwa over the years. The film opens in 2020 in Ngwa's Minneapolis home, where he watches these old clips and reacts to them in real time, providing a rare and unfiltered glimpse into his thoughts and emotions. These scenes are interspersed with a broader reflection on Ngwa’s life journey, from his roots in Cameroon to his rise to fame in the world of drag, most notably for his groundbreaking victory on "RuPaul’s Drag Race".

 

What sets "Being BeBe" apart from other celebrity documentaries is its balanced portrayal of both success and struggle. While many bio-docs of famous figures tend to focus on the glamorous side of fame, Branham doesn’t shy away from highlighting the challenges Ngwa faced along the way - whether it’s the financial and social difficulties that came with becoming a drag superstar or the cultural and familial struggles tied to his identity. In particular, the film touches on the complex relationship Ngwa has with his family, especially in regard to their evolving feelings about his drag persona. His journey from seeking acceptance to ultimately gaining their full support is a poignant aspect of the documentary, illustrating his resilience and the importance of familial love in shaping his path. Throughout the documentary, Branham’s presence as a filmmaker is felt, both behind and in front of the camera. There are moments when she directly interacts with Ngwa, asking him questions or capturing his reactions to certain footage. These moments serve to humanize the documentary, reminding the viewer that this is not just a polished, detached biographical account but rather a deeply personal exploration of a life lived on and off the stage. Branham’s decision to include herself in the film, as well as the way she interrupts the narrative to delve into broader societal issues, such as homophobia in Cameroon, further enriches the documentary’s impact.

 

The documentary takes an insightful detour by examining the situation of LGBTQ+ individuals in Cameroon, Ngwa’s home country, where homosexuality is criminalized and same-sex relations are harshly punished. This theme runs through the film, adding a layer of depth to Ngwa’s story. His emotional bond with Cameroon is an ever-present undercurrent throughout the documentary, and it highlights the tension between his newfound drag fame and the harsh realities faced by queer individuals in his home country. Branham captures interviews with Cameroonian residents whose identities are kept hidden for their safety, illustrating the dangerous environment that BeBe Zahara Benet left behind and continues to navigate emotionally. One powerful segment shows a local pastor recounting how two men were jailed simply for drinking Baileys, an act considered effeminate by the conservative standards of the country. But while Cameroon’s struggles are a backdrop to BeBe’s story, the country’s cultural richness and pride are also portrayed as sources of strength and inspiration for her work. In the years after her "Drag Race" win, BeBe created several one-woman shows that draw on her heritage and her experiences as an African immigrant. These shows, which sought to bridge her African roots with her drag artistry, became central to her quest for success, with her ultimate goal being to take her performances to Las Vegas. The tension between her ambitions and the challenges of gaining wider commercial acceptance forms a central conflict in the documentary. Her drag persona, bold and deeply rooted in her identity as an African, is both a source of pride and a potential barrier to reaching a broader audience that may prefer more assimilated, "mainstream" expressions of drag.

 

The documentary also touches on the complexities of being an African immigrant in the U.S. and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. BeBe’s awareness of her privilege, despite the difficulties she faces, is a recurring theme. The juxtaposition between her public success and the hardships of those still living in secrecy and fear in places like Cameroon underscores the importance of visibility and representation in the LGBTQ+ community. Branham’s decision to show scenes from Cameroon and interview individuals whose faces remain obscured highlights the stark contrast between BeBe’s openness as a performer and the hidden lives of many others in her home country. "Being BeBe" is not just a documentary about one person’s rise to fame but also a meditation on identity, self-acceptance, and the power of art to transcend borders. It captures the emotional complexity of Ngwa’s journey - his love for his family, his struggles with his cultural identity, and his constant effort to reconcile his past with his future. The documentary also provides a nuanced view of the evolution of the drag scene, particularly the way that "RuPaul’s Drag Race" has reshaped public perceptions of drag and created new opportunities for performers like BeBe.

 

The film also includes glimpses into how the broader social landscape, including movements like Black Lives Matter and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, has affected BeBe’s career in recent years. Branham’s thoughtful editing choices further elevate the documentary. One particularly striking moment comes early in the film, where Branham intercuts images of Ngwa’s early days in the drag world with footage of Cameroon’s urban landscape. This sequence is both a visual and emotional bridge, offering a glimpse of the tension between BeBe’s drag identity and the cultural realities of her homeland. By the film’s conclusion, BeBe Zahara Benet is no longer simply defined by her historic win on "RuPaul’s Drag Race". While that victory remains a key milestone in her career, the documentary shows how BeBe has carved out a space for herself beyond the title of “first Drag Race winner.” The closing scenes hint at the next chapter in her life, as she continues to evolve as both an artist and an individual. "Being BeBe" is a powerful testament to the resilience and complexity of its subject, offering a rare and intimate look at the life of a trailblazing performer. It’s a documentary that is as much about the larger social issues affecting LGBTQ+ individuals as it is about BeBe Zahara Benet’s personal story, making it a poignant and multifaceted exploration of identity, fame, and belonging. Through Branham’s lens, we are reminded that BeBe’s story is not just one of success but one of perseverance, pride, and, ultimately, self-discovery.

 

via: youtube and thereviewshub.com

 nytimes.com and imdb and intheseats.ca

Image credits: YouTube