Out and Around

Out and Around is a thought-provoking, inspiring and transformative documentary that debuted in 2015, featuring Jennifer Chang, Abbie Cornish, and Lisa Dazols. This film, directed by Lauren Fash and Ryan Suffern, is not your traditional documentary and offers the audience a personally enriching experience that brings to the fore issues such as gender inequality, differing cultures, societal norms, and human rights.

Jennifer Chang and Lisa Dazols, the movie's key protagonists, set out on an ambitious journey around the world to observe first-hand the conditions and struggles experienced by the LGBTQ+ community. The central theme of the film is to highlight and shed light on social injustices that are often overlooked and swept under the carpet.

The film begins when the couple, feeling stuck in their everyday environment and distressed by the lack of recognition for their homosexual relationship, decide to set out on a year-long journey. The journey they embark on takes them to 15 different countries, across several continents, and let them meet with a multitude of inspiring people.

During their expedition, the duo encounters local leaders fighting for gay rights in areas of the world where being homosexual is not only stigmatized but also can be lethal or seen as a crime. Jennifer Chang and Lisa Dazols bring these stories to the forefront, magnifying their importance and giving voice to the voiceless. The couple’s interactions and interviews with these leaders are deeply genuine, intensely emotional, and truly enlightening.

Abbie Cornish, renowned actress, is the narrator of this movie. Her voice is constant throughout the film, providing the viewers with insightful commentary and weaves together all the threads of individual stories across the globe into a cohesive whole. Cornish’s narration does a wonderful job guiding the viewer through the emotional, cultural, political, and social complexities across the varying locations visited by Jennifer and Lisa.

What makes Out and Around distinct is its ability to go beyond being just a documentary enlightening on the status of LGBTQ+ rights across the globe. The film also charts the personal journey of the two protagonists, acting as a coming-of-age tale that shows them gradually growing stronger, more aware, and resilient about themselves and their relationship amid the complexities of the world.

Audiences are given access to the couple's personal encounters, joys, excitements, fears, and even disputes along the way. This adds an intimate, personal touch to the film, thus creating a strong connection between the audience and the couple. It allows one to see the real, unfiltered emotions they experience as they navigate through the often challenging journey both outside and within themselves.

Out and Around simultaneously allows for the exploration of varying cultures and locations, thereby being not just a socially oriented documentary but also a travel film. From bustling cities to tranquil countryside, from struggle to laughter, the audience is treated to an array of experiences which are sure to ignite a variety of emotions.

The cinematography is stunning, spotlighting the beauty and diversity of our world, even in parts where injustice and discrimination undermine the vibrancy of life. Fash and Suffern use this to great effect, delivering a stark contrast that's both beautiful and heartbreaking.

There's a special kind of rawness to Out and Around, typical of independent and documentary cinema. This authenticity enhances the poignant nature of the stories and the film's overall impact. The audience is offered a front-row seat towards witnessing the raw emotions, the courage, the pain, the joy, and the immense strength of the human spirit.

Out and Around is both an enlightening documentary painting an honest picture of the worldwide condition of LGBTQ+ rights and an inspiring travelogue celebrating the triumph of love and courage over adversity. It is a film that is sure to resonate with audiences and provoke thought, discussion, and potentially action concerning the conditions of the underrepresented and oppressed members of society. From a broader perspective, it encapsulates a powerful message about humanity, love, and the enduring pursuit of equality and justice.