Tongues Untied
Thursday, April 10 at 7:30pm
A black male warrior fighting for the right to love other black
men, Marlon Riggs affirms what was nearly lost, newly found: the
certainty that black male lives are utterly precious." -Alice Walker,
Author, The Color Purple
The fourth season of Frameline at the Center continues with Tongues Untied, Marlon
T. Riggs’ controversial classic documentary chronicling the black gay
male experience. Using poetry, personal testimony, rap and performance (featuring poet Essex Hemphill and others), Tongues Untied describes the homophobia and racism that confront Black gay men. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of this landmark
film’s production and the film's release onto home DVD! Film courtesy of Frameline Distribution.
Marlon Riggs' portrayal of homophobia and racism caused controversy during Tongues Untied’s
original 1991 airing on PBS’s P.O.V. series and contributed to the
national debate about the National Endowment for the Arts funding for
art with nudity, gay themes, and pointed political commentary.
Riggs’ stories are fierce examples of homophobia and racism: the
man refused entry to a gay bar because of his color; the college
student left bleeding on the sidewalk after a gay-bashing; the
loneliness and isolation of the drag queen. The stories also affirm
the black gay male experience: protest marches, smoky bars, “snap
divas,” humorous musicology, and vogue dancing.
Co-presented by:
Black Coalition on AIDS
Oakland International Black LGBT Film Festival
Shanti L.I.F.E. Program
Kindly arrive early as seating is limited. Don’t miss this FREE
screening of this powerful film and post-film panel discussion!