Tongues Untied

Marlon Riggs' documentary "Tongues Untied" left a brief, but definitive impact on me. This documentary about gay African-American men reveals several poets, preachers, activists, and scholars. There is no narration in "Tongues Untied". Instead, all the dialogue is spoken in philosophical rhymes and poems. The documentary showcases, and even full-on exposes its praise for the black homosexual lifestyle, in an artistic and flamboyant fashion.

As a filmmaker myself, I was drawn into how Riggs was able to explain the persecution of homosexuals without having a sit-down interview, and instead uses stand-up performances, poetry, and symbolism to prove his point. From the confines of a gay black man's isolation and loneliness, to the exciting experiences of the San Francisco "Castro" district, Riggs took the audience to some fascinating, and often times deplorable world that gay black men face every day of their lives.

I was a little annoyed by the pacing of the film. There were some parts that had me yawning. But "Tongues Untied" sends a powerful message of tolerance, culture, and tradition from a filmmaker who is sadly no longer with us. This documentary captured my attention, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Documentaries, well timed, make a difference. Especially when they are of the quality of this 1989-91 documentary about black men loving black men. TONGUES UNTIED was written and directed and narrated by Marton Riggs who with assistance from other gay Black men, especially poet Essex Hemphill, celebrates Black men loving Black men as a revolutionary act. The film intercuts footage of Hemphill reciting his poetry, Riggs telling the story of his growing up, scenes of men in social intercourse and dance, and various comic riffs, including a visit to the "Institute of Snap!thology," where men take lessons in how to snap their fingers: the sling snap, the point snap, the diva snap. The film closes with obituaries for victims of AIDS and archival footage of the civil rights movement placed next to footage of Black men marching in a gay pride parade.

The film is a lyrical exploration of black gay identity in the United States. Made during a historical period marked by the onset of the AIDS crisis, the works navigate desire, love, loss, and mourning to engage and question sexual and political repression, expression, and deviation.

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. It is as timely today as it was in 1991 when it was aired on PBS, setting off a wild debate about the National Endowment for the Arts funding for art with nudity, gay themes, and pointed political commentary. Impressive and important.

If you like Paris is Burning, you'll enjoy this movie.

If you don't like poetry, (as I certainly don't), please go into this loving Paris is Burning, and respect the efforts of historical, underground, artistic gay documentation.

I skipped the first 5-10 minutes because the chanting/rhythmic hymns got disorienting and annoying. There's another musical segment near the 0.75 mark of the movie that was skipped over.

Regardless, this film was VERY special to watch at first viewing. Humorous, descriptive, thoughtful wordplay and poetry, really, really exceptional, beautiful prose.

Willi Ninja dances in this movie too!!

"Black men loving black men is a revolutionary act." It is also a documentary act which is straightforward, polemic, complex, with heart, with gusto. With diction that fights affliction, this is its basic weapon of beauty, as if its undercurrent was "beauty is no booty for the enemy".

For me, a gay white male from Greece, this documentary, coming from my oblique point of view (oblique because being gay in Greece, despite its, rather ironic, pederastic tradition, is quite apart with the issues and the culture of the film, yet the sense of segregation and tradition rings familiar), descriptively it feels like a star-crossed breed of gospel and guerrilla video art.

Its veins are pounding deep; being a writer and translator, listening to such keen, sexy, visceral rhythms by the imposing figure of Essex Hemphill, was a revelation with an obsessive glow.

And Marlon Briggs' narration, spacious and incisive, unflinching and embracing, with an amazing sense of building-up, leaves me bewildered, more so for appearing somewhat tuned down at first.

For anyone liking the feeling of words doing as they want to do and as they have to do, as Gertrude Stein admirably put it, this is a definite watch.

This is a powerful documentary that tells an under-told story of the black gay experience in America. Through a mix of personal interviews, archival footage, and poetic imagery, director Marlon Riggs creates an emotional portrait of a community that is often marginalized and invisible.

While the documentary is engaging and eye-opening, it also creates a feeling of unease as the film delves into the struggles faced by black gay men. These men often live in the shadows, hiding their true identities due to cultural and societal pressures. The documentary captures the tension between the public persona they must present and their inner desires and turmoil.

Riggs boldly confronts homophobia and racism in the black community head-on, revealing the pain and oppression that these men face. With this approach, the film manages to create a powerful force for empathy and understanding.

Overall, "Tongues Untied" is a great documentary that offers a unique perspective on the intersection of race, sexuality, and identity in America. While the stories it tells may be difficult to watch at times, the film is an important contribution to the ongoing conversation about discrimination and inequality, not just in the US but around the world. It is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of community to overcome isolation and marginalization.