Press

NEW YORK TIMES
CRITIC'S PICK

“In the perspicacious documentary Being BeBe,’ the director Emily Branham seems to have taken a page from Janet Malcolm. Within her profile of Marshall Ngwa, who performs drag as BeBe Zahara Benet, Branham tucks lucid insights about the codes, ethics and art of cinematic biography.”
Natalia Winkelman New York Times

★★★★

"A candid and engaging exploration of a remarkable individual."
Maryam Philpott The Reviews Hub

★★★★

"Refreshingly authentic"
Culture Fix

★★★★

"The drag documentary that the modern world needs to see."
Jasmine Valentine Movie Marker
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none on record's
afroqueer podcast

AfroQueer host Selly Thiam sits down with BeBe to explore his childhood in Cameroon, becoming the first RuPaul’s Drag Race champion, and the film BEING BEBE.

THE STOOP:
Stories from across
the black diaspora

Leila and Hana invite BeBe onto their PRX/Radiotopia podcast, along with Shangela and Bob the Drag Queen, in honor of Pride month and the release of BEING BEBE. (BeBe starts at 32:45)

“BEING BEBE is full of heart, soul and wit — much like the subject herself — and provides a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain for fans and curious newcomers alike; a joy-filled, life-affirming must-watch.”
Joey Keogh Vague Visages

THE JASON SHOW

“An incredible new documentary looks at the incredible life of BeBe Zahara Benet.”
Jason Matheson The Jason Show, KMSP Fox 9
"As a queer young woman living in Africa, BeBe's life is an inspiration...It is a message of hope, telling us not only to dream, but to work for it. A drag queen story told with integrity is exactly the positive representation we could all use right now."
Judy Bokao Matthew's Place, a Program of the Matthew Shepard Foundation

The hollywood reporter

"Bottom Line: Shante, you stay."
David Rooney The Hollywood Reporter

channel q:
Let's go there with shira & ryan

Pop culture, politics and lifestyle hosts Ryan Mitchell & Shira Lazar chat with BeBe Zahara Benet about RuPaul's Drag Race and BEING BEBE. (Starts at 33:47)

MAXIMUM FILM PODCAST

Parvesh Cheena gives a shout-out to BEING BEBE as his Pride month film pick and "a great documentary" on this Maximum Fun movie podcast that isn’t just a bunch of straight white dudes. (Starts at 59:50)

BBC RADIO LONDON: SATURDAY BREAKFAST

Carrie and David Grant invite director Emily Branham along with BFI Flare Film Festival Senior Programmer Michael Blyth to BBC Radio London to discuss BEING BEBE and other highlights of the fest.

MyTalk 107.1's Lori & julia

BeBe joins Minneapolis/St. Paul's drivetime divas to talk about BEING BEBE ahead of our Midwest Premiere at Walker Art Center. (Starts appx halfway through)

LIVING AFRICAN Podcast

Host Anyoh Fonbad sits down with her childhood classmate Marshall (aka BeBe) for an in-depth and wonderful conversation about growing up in Cameroon and everything that's happened since, including BEING BEBE.

WBAI Pacifica Radio in New York City

Malika Lee Whitney invites director Emily Branham to her arts show to discuss "effervescent" new film, BEING BEBE. (Starts at 43:00)

CHEDDAR NEWS

MINNESOTA LIVE: KSTP (ABC)

“An immigrant success story…entertaining & poignant…the drag version of ROCKY!”
Ellen Miller & Scott Duff Out Chicago WCPT
“An intimate, contemplative film that is also a really powerful testament to the value of art and how art can express oneself.”
Nick Kouhi MPR Art Hounds

TALKHOUSE: PERSONAL ESSAY

Director Emily Branham writes about the intense acting class that she and BeBe took while making BEING BEBE.

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DOC STAR OF THE MONTH:
INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION

"I just hope the film can inspire younger generations of people, from all walks of life, to stay the course of their dreams, pursue their passions fearlessly, and to live their lives out loud."
Marshall Kudi Ngwa (aka BeBe Zahara Benet) IDA's Doc Star of the Month
"Will surely leave you spellbound."
Sukriti Shahi Elle Magazine
"Intelligent and collaborative...a documentary as vibrant as its subject."
Chase Hutchinson The Stranger
"Watching BeBe create his craft as an artist is nothing less than inspiring."
Roger Walker-Dack Queer Guru
"Rich, complex...puts queer struggle into a global perspective."
B.L. Panther The Spool
"Lovingly explored....a document of what can happen in America when imagination and diversity are embraced.
Steve Desroches Provincetown Magazine

THE QUEER REVIEW

At the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Theater, The Queer Review’s editor James Kleinmann had an exclusive red carpet chat with BeBe Zahara Benet on the night of Outfest’s US Documentary Centerpiece screening.

"A telling human rights portrait about the ongoing fight for LGBTQ rights worldwide."
Patrick Mullen POV Magazine
"Awe-inspiring."
Shoot Online
"A naked look at a consummate performer, reluctant activist, and intensely private person fighting for a career in showbusiness."
David Reddish Queerty
"Relatable and triumphant."
Stacey Yvonne Black Girl Nerds

MPLS ST. PAUL MAGAZINE

“After the trauma of the murder of George Floyd, it’s been hard at times to remember the side of Minneapolis where an African immigrant...has a super-supportive family, black and white, born and chosen, who will love him and work to help him become one of the biggest drag performers in America...This film shows a good, real, and little-seen side of our beloved hometown.”
Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl Minneapolis St Paul Magazine
"A top-notch film about an all-star performer who has made his own way in this country by being himself."
Guy at the Movies
"Bold storytelling...valuable teachings for every age category regardless of your relationship to [RuPaul's Drag Race]."
Billie Melissa Cinematic Faves
"I had a blast watching this film."
Steve Kopian Unseen Films
"Not only does BEING BEBE allow her to shine, but it smartly gives an insight as to how tough it has been for her to do so."
Glenn Gaylord The Queer Review
"Infectious..a heartfelt and honest look at the artist pushing boundaries without pause."
Elizabeth Whittemore Reel News Daily
“A warm profile of an effervescent personality who radiates self-acceptance and encourages others to do the same.”
Valerie Kalfrin Alliance of Women Film Journalists
"BEING BEBE is a timeless journey of talent, survival, and cultural representation."
Gardenia Zuniga-Haro Film Critic
"This entertaining and insightful close-up chronicles the ups and downs of a hardworking creative artist who is helping define the modern queer Black experience."
Michael Strangeways Seattle Gay Scene

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Branham said, 'I wanted the film to be a Trojan horse. Like you start watching it, it's light and fun. But it's more than that. BeBe's story has so much to offer.'"
Ross Raihala St. Paul Pioneer Press

Blackhouse Foundation

Brickson Diamond chats with BeBe ahead of BEING BEBE's World Premiere at Tribeca.

BRAVEMAKER PODCAST

Tony Gapastione & Krystina Wray Jackson invite BeBe and San Francisco-based Producer Marc Smolowitz to talk ahead of our SF premiere. (Director Emily, Producer Jonathan Goodman Levitt, and the rest of our team there in spirit!)

Queer Guru

Roger Walker-Dack invites BeBe and members of the filmmaking team for a backyard chat in beautiful Provincetown ahead or our Closing Night Screening of BEING BEBE.

Selig film news

Gadi Elkon catches up with director Emily Branham in Wichita ahead of BEING BEBE's Closing Night Gala screening at Tallgrass Film Festival.

Know your Role(s) Podcast

Emily's good friend George Gordon invites her onto his pod to talk about BEING BEBE, documentaries, and Prince (obviously).

Ceiling breakers podcast

Audra and Stacy chat with director Emily Branham, fellow Tallgrass filmmaker Mye Hoang and Tallgrass Film Festival Executive Director Melanie Addington.