ReShape and the Cinema Museum present the third season of the VITO Project, a series of free monthly screenings bringing generations of LGBTs together to provide an alternative space to mix, watch films and share ideas.
The VITO Project is delighted to present Tongues Untied, an American 1989 documentary film directed by Marlon T. Riggs.
The seminal documentary on Black gay life, Emmy Award-winning director Marlon T. Riggs’ Tongues Untied uses poetry, personal testimony, rap and performance (featuring poet Essex Hemphill and others), to describe the homophobia and racism that confront Black gay men.
The 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. Yet they also affirm the black gay male experience: protest marches, smoky bars, “snap diva”, humorous “musicology” and Vogue dancers.
A quarter of a century after its release, director Marlon T. Riggs’ documentary, winner of the Los Angeles Film Critics Award, and Best Documentary prize at the Berlin Film Festival, is as relevant as ever.
“My struggle has allowed me to transcend that sense of shame and stigma identified with my being a black gay man. Having come through that fire, they can’t touch me.”- Marlon T. Riggs
The screening wil be followed by an open discussion.
The project is endorsed by BFI Flare: London LGBT film festival, 56 Dean St, QX Magazine, Gay’s the Word, ACT UP London, Gay Mates, a Change of Scene, the Cara Trust, I-Base, UK-CAB, Positively UK, Gaydio, NAZ Project, Frank Byrne & his walkers and Broad Appeal Podcast.
Doors to the cafe/bar will open at 18.00 for a 19.00 screening. Come early to secure a seat as it can get very busy and we do not take bookings. The doors to the Cinema will be shut once capacity is reached.
TICKETS & PRICING
This is a free event but we need your donations on the night to ensure the continuation of the VITO project. All donations go towards covering the costs associated with running the event (film licences, heating and lighting, rental of the premises, printing, promotion etc). Donations are VITO’s only source of funding and we need to raise an average of £5 per person just to cover our costs. So PLEASE DIG DEEP and give us a paper donation if you are able to.
Find out more about the VITO Project on their website.
