Living Out Loud with Darian

from jasmynecannick.com

Marlon T. Riggs’s controversial classic documentary chronicling the black gay male experience Tongues Untied has been released on DVD in celebration of its 20th Anniversary through Frameline.

Marlon Riggs’s 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. The remastered DVD includes an archival interview with director Marlon Riggs, and newly produced interviews with Isaac Julien, Phill Wilson, Juba Kalanka, and Herman Gray, as well as never-before-released deleted scenes.

Riggs’s 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.

For more information click here.

from Darian

The National Black Justice Coalition will be sponsoring a special screening and discussion of Tongues Untied in Washington D.C. on March 26. I will be making the trip to our nation's capital to attend this event. If you're in D.C. then make sure you're in the house and be sure to say hello if you see me.

Click here for the D.C. screening info.