It took me a long time to find this short documentary film, I was most keen to see it because of its inclusion in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, and the subject matter sounded most interesting. Directed by African-American, homosexual filmmaker Marlon Riggs (who tragically died of AIDS in 1994, aged 37), this film examines and celebrates black men loving black men as a revolutionary act. With the help of many gay black men, the film intercuts between various these men, discussing their experiences, and reciting original poems, and footage of the gay men creating original dance and mime routines. The men freely express their camp and vibrant personalities, including their love for fashion and dressing in women's clothing, they discuss homosexual acts and love making, phone lines and group activities, describe kissing, talk about stereotyping and derogatory name-calling, their anger about racism, bigotry and homophobia, and explain finding themselves. Aside the men talking and reciting poems, the film also sees original song and dance routines and group activities, including a snap dance (clicking fingers), rapping, a group in a gay club and a barbershop quartet. There is also archive footage of related subjects, for and against the argument, including gay anthems, religious sermons, Eddie Murphy doing stand-up, gay propaganda, protests, Martin Luther King campaigning for equal rights and much more. It is a fascinating film in many ways, it certainly works as a personal, positive and passionate plea to end racism and homophobia, and to increase tolerance and "brother to brother" unity, it's poetic, chaotic and controversial, but I'm glad I watched it, an interesting documentary. Worth watching!
Review of Tongues Untied
