Call Her Ganda (2018): Cast & Ratings
Call Her Ganda is a 2018 documentary directed by PJ Raval, starring Julita Laude, Meredith Talusan and Naomi Fontanos. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Director
- PJ Raval
- Genre
- Documentary
- Original language
-
Filipino
- Studio
- Breaking Glass Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Call Her Ganda About?
The premise of Call Her Ganda without spoilers.
The death of transgender Filipina woman Jennifer Laude ignites a wave of activism and suspicion when authorities investigate a U.S. Marine. This documentary explores the repercussions of her murder, exposing the intricate dynamics between the United States and the Philippines. It delves into political power struggles and human rights issues, revealing a challenging and complex situation.
Call Her Ganda Themes & Keywords
· 1 tag- trans history
Call Her Ganda Cast
Julita Laude leads the cast, with Meredith Talusan and Naomi Fontanos. Directed by PJ Raval; 4 actors are credited in all.
- Director PJ Raval
- Julita Laude as themselves
- Meredith Talusan as themselves
- Naomi Fontanos as themselves
- Virginia Lacsa Suarez as themselves
More from PJ Raval
More films directed by PJ Raval, best-rated first: Before You Know It, Who We Become and Trinidad.
Call Her Ganda Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Call Her Ganda 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
Call Her Ganda Echo Score Breakdown
Call Her Ganda earns a moderate rating for its empathetic focus and persistent examination of transphobic violence. Critics applaud its heart and impactful testimony, citing the depth of Laude’s family narrative and the film’s insistence that the crime not be forgotten. However, the documentary’s pacing and structural unevenness, with some scattershot segments and an overload of material, limit its cohesion. On balance, the film’s emotional resonance and advocacy message remain compelling despite its occasional lack of focus.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 65
In terms of art and craft, the film shows clear intention but uneven structure. The direction conveys emotional clarity in key interview sequences, yet the editing sometimes feels rushed as the documentary attempts to cover extensive material in 93 minutes. Production design and visual framing are serviceable but not distinctive. Overall, the film’s art direction supports its urgent message even if stylistic flourishes are limited.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character and emotion, the documentary excels at portraying intimate moments with Laude’s family. The interviews capture genuine grief and love, imbuing the narrative with heartfelt connection. While the film does not dramatize scenes, it nonetheless offers a nuanced portrayal of transmission and activism. In sum, the emotional core is compelling and forms the documentary’s strongest human element.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, the film’s narrative balance is uneven. It foregrounds the Laude murder case with commendable focus but occasionally strays into broader sociopolitical context that dilutes pacing. Some viewers may find the scattered approach undermines coherence, as key details receive only cursory attention. Despite these issues, the film maintains engagement through its urgent subject matter and clear argumentative thread.
- Sensory Experience 70
When it comes to sensory experience, the documentary delivers a straightforward audiovisual presentation. The score and sound design underscore emotional beats without becoming intrusive, and the visual style emphasizes naturalistic framing over stylized cinematography. While the approach fosters clarity, it offers few memorable visual or auditory flourishes. Overall, the sensory elements are polished yet restrained, reinforcing the film’s documentary realism.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Regarding rewatch value, the film’s significance lies in its advocacy and human story, which may inspire repeat viewings for its informative content. However, the dense material and somewhat cluttered structure could hinder enjoyment on subsequent watches. A strong emotional core may draw viewers back, but the lack of narrative refinement may limit enduring appeal. Consequently, the film offers moderate replay value, primarily for its subject matter rather than formal innovation.
-
IMDb 6.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 78%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 61 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 54% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Call Her Ganda Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Call Her Ganda.
Seen Call Her Ganda?
Movies Like Call Her Ganda
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Bubot Niyar, Aswang and The Sex Warriors and the Samurai.
Call Her Ganda FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Call Her Ganda, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Call Her Ganda?
Call Her Ganda runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
When was Call Her Ganda released?
Call Her Ganda was released on September 21, 2018.
Who directed Call Her Ganda?
Call Her Ganda was directed by PJ Raval.
More films by PJ Raval Who is in the cast of Call Her Ganda?
Call Her Ganda stars Julita Laude, Meredith Talusan and Naomi Fontanos, among 4 credited actors.
How is Call Her Ganda rated?
Call Her Ganda has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic and 54% on TMDB.
Does Call Her Ganda have a post-credit scene?
No. Call Her Ganda has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Call Her Ganda in?
The original language of Call Her Ganda is Filipino.
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