10 Movies and Shows Similar to ‘A Gay Girl in Damascus: The Amina Profile’ (2015)

Description: This documentary shares with 'A Gay Girl in Damascus' a focus on LGBTQ+ activism and the impact of one individual's story. Harvey Milk's life and assassination are chronicled, showing how his work as a gay rights activist inspired a movement. Both films highlight the intersection of personal identity and political action, though 'The Times of Harvey Milk' is more historical and biographical.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It was one of the first mainstream films to portray gay life and activism positively. The documentary was restored and re-released in 2011 with additional footage.

Description: This film, like 'A Gay Girl in Damascus', explores themes of identity and self-discovery within the LGBTQ+ community. Both works feature journeys—literal in 'Priscilla' and metaphorical in 'Amina Profile'—that challenge societal norms and celebrate individuality. The vibrant and bold aesthetic of 'Priscilla' contrasts with the documentary style of 'Amina Profile', but both share a celebration of queer culture.

Fact: The film won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design. It was one of the first mainstream films to feature drag queens as protagonists. The bus used in the film, named Priscilla, is now a tourist attraction in Australia.

Description: Both 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' and 'A Gay Girl in Damascus' explore themes of gender identity and transformation. Hedwig's journey of self-discovery and the challenges she faces mirror the documentary's exploration of identity and deception. The rock musical format of 'Hedwig' provides a stark contrast to the documentary style of 'Amina Profile', but both works delve deeply into the personal and political aspects of LGBTQ+ lives.

Fact: The film is based on the off-Broadway musical of the same name. John Cameron Mitchell, who plays Hedwig, also directed the film. The soundtrack was critically acclaimed and features songs written by Stephen Trask.

Description: Similar to 'A Gay Girl in Damascus: The Amina Profile', 'The L Word' explores LGBTQ+ themes and identities, focusing on the lives of lesbian and bisexual women. Both works delve into personal and political struggles within the LGBTQ+ community, though 'The L Word' is a fictional drama series while 'A Gay Girl in Damascus' is a documentary. The show's portrayal of complex relationships and societal challenges mirrors the documentary's exploration of identity and deception.

Fact: 'The L Word' was groundbreaking for its time, being one of the first TV shows to focus primarily on lesbian and bisexual women. The show's theme song, 'The L Word', was performed by Betty, a lesbian folk-rock duo. The series has been praised for its diverse cast and representation of different facets of LGBTQ+ life.

Description: 'Brokeback Mountain' and 'A Gay Girl in Damascus' both explore the challenges of LGBTQ+ identities in restrictive environments. While 'Brokeback Mountain' is a fictional love story set in the American West, 'Amina Profile' is a documentary about a fabricated online persona. Both works, however, highlight the pain and secrecy often associated with queer lives.

Fact: The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Director for Ang Lee. It was based on a short story by Annie Proulx. The film's portrayal of a gay relationship was groundbreaking for mainstream cinema at the time.

Description: Like 'A Gay Girl in Damascus', 'We Were Here' is a documentary that delves into personal narratives within the LGBTQ+ community, focusing on the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco. Both films explore themes of love, loss, and resilience, though 'We Were Here' is more historical in its approach. The emotional depth and human connection in both films make them powerful viewing experiences.

Fact: The film won several awards, including the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. It features interviews with five individuals who lived through the AIDS crisis in San Francisco. Director David Weissman spent five years making the documentary.

Description: This documentary shares with 'A Gay Girl in Damascus' a focus on activism and the LGBTQ+ community's fight for rights and recognition. Both films highlight the power of grassroots movements and the personal stories behind larger social struggles. 'How to Survive a Plague' documents the AIDS crisis, showing how the LGBTQ+ community came together to demand action, similar to how 'A Gay Girl in Damascus' explores the impact of one individual's story on a global scale.

Fact: The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It uses archival footage to tell the story of ACT UP and TAG, two organizations pivotal in the fight against AIDS. Director David France spent years compiling footage and interviews to create the documentary.

Description: Both 'Carol' and 'A Gay Girl in Damascus' explore LGBTQ+ relationships and the societal pressures that come with them. 'Carol' is a period drama about a forbidden love affair in the 1950s, while 'Amina Profile' is a documentary about a deceptive online identity. Despite their different formats, both works delve into themes of love, identity, and the challenges of being true to oneself.

Fact: The film was nominated for six Academy Awards. It is based on the novel 'The Price of Salt' by Patricia Highsmith. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara's performances were widely praised.

Description: 'Moonlight' and 'A Gay Girl in Damascus' both explore the complexities of LGBTQ+ identity, though 'Moonlight' is a fictional narrative while 'Amina Profile' is a documentary. Both works highlight the struggles of coming to terms with one's identity in a hostile world. The poetic and intimate storytelling of 'Moonlight' resonates with the personal and emotional depth of 'Amina Profile'.

Fact: 'Moonlight' won the Academy Award for Best Picture. The film is based on the play 'In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue' by Tarell Alvin McCraney. It was shot in just 25 days on a budget of $

Description: Both 'Call Me by Your Name' and 'A Gay Girl in Damascus' explore LGBTQ+ relationships and the emotional journeys of their protagonists. While 'Call Me by Your Name' is a romantic drama set in 1980s Italy, 'Amina Profile' is a documentary about a deceptive online identity. However, both works delve into themes of love, identity, and the pain of hidden truths.

Fact: The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Timothée Chalamet became the youngest Best Actor nominee in over 70 years for his role. The peach scene in the film became one of its most talked-about moments.