In celebration of the 20 year anniversary and Frameline DVD release of a landmark film in the history of LGBT cinema, One in Ten presents a rare public screening of Tongues Untied.

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.
 



At the time of its release the film was considered controversial because of its frank portrayal of gay sexuality. Presidential candidate Pat Buchanan cited Tongues Untied as an example of using taxpayer's money to fund "pornographic art".


Post Screen Discussion

"African-American and Gay: 20 Years Later"

  • Featuring Ron Simmons, PhD - Executive Director Us Helping US and Cast Member Tongues Untied

  • Sylvia Rhue - Director of Religious Affairs, NBJC

  • Earl Fowlkes - President, Int'l. Federation of Black Prides

Moderated by Earl Plante, NBJC and One in Ten

 

Presented in collaboration with

  National Black Justice Coalition, 
DC Black Pride 
and Sixth & I Synagogue, 
600 I St. NW 

Don't miss Riggs' landmark and controversial film!

March 26 
  
7 pm - $10

 


For information: One in Ten

For tickets: Sixth & I Synagogue

This is the acclaimed account of black gay life by Emmy Award-winning director Marlon Riggs. Using poetry, personal testimony, rap and performance Tongues Untied describes the homophobia and racism that confront black gay men.

Almost twenty years ago, Marlon Riggs revolutionized the personal documentary genre with Tongues Untied. Some of the tales are troublesome: 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. Yet Riggs also presents the rich flavor of the black gay male experience, from protest marches and smoky bars to the language of the ""snap diva"" and Vogue dancer.

A benchmark film which speaks for itself, its unique blend of poetry, personal stories, hip-hop and performance was a truly different aesthetic for its time, pushing the boundaries of what people expected from a documentary. We could be grateful for that alone, but Tongues also accomplished an even more significant feat - shedding light on the ""invisible"" world/experiences of black gay men. Today, the film retains its radically subversive potency and genius.

Berlin Film Festival 1990, Winner - Teddy Best Documentary Film 
San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 1990 Winner - Audience Award

Tongues Untied Film Trailer