Tongues Untied is an impressive cinematic protest against the silence surrounding homophobic and racist issues in America. This powerful documentary, directed by Marlon T. Riggs, serves as a candid homage to the struggle, life, and love of black gay men. The film employs rap, dance, poetry, and personal stories to paint a portrait of their pain, frustration, and anger. Riggs dismantles deeply rooted and normalized myths about what it means to be gay, black, male, and human.
Riggs was a pioneering filmmaker who spoke out strongly against the conservative wave in the United States during the 1980s. His films, characterized by their personal tone and political sharpness, aim to break societal taboos and spark conversations that are often avoided. In Tongues Untied, he gives voice to what it means to be an outsider in both a black community permeated by homophobia and a largely white gay subculture poisoned by racism. Riggs' legacy remains highly significant, both within and beyond the LGBTQ+ community, inspiring a continued fight for equality and acceptance.
Tongues Untied is part of our NEW QUEER CINEMA series, showing in June, July, and August 2024 at De Uitkijk.