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Defying The Hate Collection GBFF2026 "Hate has nothing on us"
Overcoming hate and adversity, this collection of films shows inspiring stories of resilience from strong characters who defy the haters
The Radical (2023)
Muhsin Hendricks is the world's first openly gay imam. Despite opposition, he established a radically inclusive mosque in Cape Town. Now, he fights for LGBTQ Muslims to be embraced in the countries where their existence is outlawed.
The Radical is an intimate portrait of Muhsin Hendricks: a fashion designer in Cape Town, South Africa, who became the world's first openly gay imam; a Muslim religious leader. Despite death threats and opposition, he established the radically-inclusive mosque that started the global queer Muslim network. The film provides first-person accounts of growing up queer in a society caught between the liberalism of the South African Constitution and the conservativeness of its cultures and history. In the wider African context, it chronicles individual journeys to acceptance amidst the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.
An intimate portrait of Muhsin Hendricks, the world’s first openly gay imam, who, despite death threats, established the radically-inclusive mosque in South Africa that gave rise to the global Queer Muslim movement.
LONG SYNOPSIS
THE RADICAL is an intimate portrait of the world’s first openly gay imam.
Muhsin Hendricks was a fashion designer in South Africa, who struggled to reconcile his sexuality with his faith. He studied in Pakistan to become an imam—a religious leader—so that he could understand Islam more deeply.
After deciding that he had to be truthful to himself and the world, he came out in 1995, and established the radically-inclusive mosque in Cape Town that gave rise to the global queer Muslim network. Today, Hendricks leads a devoted group of LGBTQ+ Muslims and allies, based in a working-class neighborhood of the city. He decides to take his work to where it is needed most: the East African communities living under anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
The film provides first-person accounts of growing up queer in a society caught between the liberalism of the South African Constitution and the conservativeness of its cultures and history. In the wider African context, it chronicles individual journeys to acceptance amidst the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights on the continent.
Director Richard Finn Gregory
Co-Writers Richard Finn Gregory, Khalid Shamis, S.A.G.E.
Producer Richard Finn Gregory
Executive Producer Daniel Karslake
Editors Khalid Shamis, S.A.G.E.
- Year2023
- Runtime90 minutes
- LanguageArabic, English, Swahili
- CountrySouth Africa
- Subtitle LanguageEnglish
- Content Warningtriggers
- DirectorRichard Finn Gregory
- Screenwriter
- Producer
Defying The Hate Collection GBFF2026 "Hate has nothing on us"
Overcoming hate and adversity, this collection of films shows inspiring stories of resilience from strong characters who defy the haters
The Radical (2023)
Muhsin Hendricks is the world's first openly gay imam. Despite opposition, he established a radically inclusive mosque in Cape Town. Now, he fights for LGBTQ Muslims to be embraced in the countries where their existence is outlawed.
The Radical is an intimate portrait of Muhsin Hendricks: a fashion designer in Cape Town, South Africa, who became the world's first openly gay imam; a Muslim religious leader. Despite death threats and opposition, he established the radically-inclusive mosque that started the global queer Muslim network. The film provides first-person accounts of growing up queer in a society caught between the liberalism of the South African Constitution and the conservativeness of its cultures and history. In the wider African context, it chronicles individual journeys to acceptance amidst the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.
An intimate portrait of Muhsin Hendricks, the world’s first openly gay imam, who, despite death threats, established the radically-inclusive mosque in South Africa that gave rise to the global Queer Muslim movement.
LONG SYNOPSIS
THE RADICAL is an intimate portrait of the world’s first openly gay imam.
Muhsin Hendricks was a fashion designer in South Africa, who struggled to reconcile his sexuality with his faith. He studied in Pakistan to become an imam—a religious leader—so that he could understand Islam more deeply.
After deciding that he had to be truthful to himself and the world, he came out in 1995, and established the radically-inclusive mosque in Cape Town that gave rise to the global queer Muslim network. Today, Hendricks leads a devoted group of LGBTQ+ Muslims and allies, based in a working-class neighborhood of the city. He decides to take his work to where it is needed most: the East African communities living under anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
The film provides first-person accounts of growing up queer in a society caught between the liberalism of the South African Constitution and the conservativeness of its cultures and history. In the wider African context, it chronicles individual journeys to acceptance amidst the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights on the continent.
Director Richard Finn Gregory
Co-Writers Richard Finn Gregory, Khalid Shamis, S.A.G.E.
Producer Richard Finn Gregory
Executive Producer Daniel Karslake
Editors Khalid Shamis, S.A.G.E.
- Year2023
- Runtime90 minutes
- LanguageArabic, English, Swahili
- CountrySouth Africa
- Subtitle LanguageEnglish
- Content Warningtriggers
- DirectorRichard Finn Gregory
- Screenwriter
- Producer
