CHOC

A closeted man from a religious family, tries to deny his truth and live a straight life...

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Aubrey “Choc” Muldrow grew up in a religious family on the Southside of Chicago. Knowing he was gay from an early age, he experienced taunts, threats, and violence from his family, his church, and his neighborhood. Fearing he was cursed, and would never be perceived as “normal,” he did everything he could to deny his truth and live a straight life. This documentary explores the trials and ultimate triumph of one man who was courageous enough to tell his story.

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Film Festivals:  This film screened internationally at such notables as Roze Filmdagen; Amsterdam LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Katra Film Series, Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival,  Athens International Film + Video Festival and is distributed on Open Television.

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​Screening Note: This film was created thanks to a crew of three 16-18 year old females participating in DePaul University’s “Become a Filmmaker" Program and its partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority. Yabrielle Johnson pitched an idea deeply personal to her and her community: the pervasive prejudice towards queer congregants in churches and the psychological effects thereof. We chose to explore the intersection of race, class, and sexual orientation through the unique story of Yabi's cousin, Aubrey “Choc” Muldrow. Choc, who had been persecuted in church and in life for his sexual orientation, wanted to channel his painful experiences into a film that could help uplift others. This project for me will always be special for the simple fact that I had the honor to work with an all-female crew to tell a very important account of sometimes oppressive institutions inflicting emotional pain on people and their families. Oh yeah, I must add that I was able to work with Qun Chi, the drone operator, who also happens to be maybe the most talented experimental filmmaker I've ever come across, not to mention a unique and amazing human. FULL FILM HERE